What makes an iris an iris?

Theses are bearded irises.

Do you know why these are called bearded irises? It’s because these plants have beards. The beards are the hairy bits on the falls. On the irises below they are yellow colored.

What are the falls? They falls are the three petals that fall downwards from the centre of the flower. The three petals standing up are called standards.

Only bearded iris have beards. There are other types of iris. Crested iris, for example, have crests. Not to be confused with beards, crests are hairless raised ridges. Irises without beards or crests are called beardless irises.

This one looks menacing!!!

For Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.


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