Iris

IRIS N. Bot. Genus of iridaceae, which counts a hundred species of hardy plants with crawling rhizome, strong bulb, large flowers which are often richly coloured. they can be multiplied by dividing the rhizomes or by sowing, when one wants to grow new varieties. The german iris (iris Germanica), also called bearded iris, grows in France on walls and rocks; it is cultivated in gardens for its beautiful flowers of a purple blue, with a yellow beard and a pleasant scent. Its bitter and acrid rhizome, when dry, gives off a scent like that of violets. The florentina iris (iris Fiorentina), with faintly bluish white flowers and a bright yellow-bearded perianth, grows in Italy and Provence. Its dried rhizome is used, like that of the aforementioned species, to perfume the linen in wardrobes or in the washing; it is also used in medicine to make iris root peas for cauteries, because of its acridness, which maintains a suitable irritation. The yellow iris or yellow flag (iris pseudoacorus), common around Paris, bears large yellow and almost odourless flowers; its rhizome yields a black dyeing. The Beefsteak Iris (iris fœtidissima), with yellow flowers and sepals dappled with purple, gives off, when crushed, a smell of roast meat seasonned with garlic.
– Among species and varieties particularly sought-after to adorn our gardens, we shall name the mourning iris (iris Susiana), a magnificent plant whose large flowers are dotted and striped with crimson on a gray or white background.
– Iris green, or simply iris, colour which is used in miniature and gouache, and which is made with lime and petals of german iris.
– iris powder, or simply iris, perfumed powder made from the root of florentina iris, german iris, yellow iris and several other species. This powder, so widely used by perfumers, comes mostly from Trieste and Leghorn; it prevents skin cracks.

Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.