Iris florentina

Iris florentina is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from southern Europe, mainly Italy (including the city of Florence) and France. It has a thick, violet scented rhizome, sword-like, green or grey-green leaves, that are semi-evergreen, a tall branched stem, many flowers that are white and tinged, or flushed with blue, or pale blue, or lavender in spring or summer. It also has a white and yellow beard. It is classed by iris societies as a tall bearded iris. It is now classified as Iris germanica nothovar. florentina, a variety of Iris germanica. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions almost worldwide. It is also grown to produce orris-root, a scented substance used in perfumes, soaps, tooth cleanser, clothes washing powder. Medicinally it was also used as an expectorant and decongestant. It is made from the rhizomes of Iris florentina, Iris germanica and Iris pallida.

Description

Iris florentina has a thick, or stout rhizome. Which is short, fleshy, horizontal, and has a strong, violet scent. The rhizomes spread across the surface of the ground, to form clumps of plants. This habit can often create a dense network of fibrous roots, that can crowd out other plants.