Notes

Iris

Plate 74

Iris

Iris germanica L. [as Iris florentina L.]
Florentine Iris, German iris, Orris root

Iris

Pliny xxi. 7, § 19.

iris

Illa quoque non omittenda differentia est, et odoratorum multa nihil adtinere ad coronamenta, ut irim atque saliuncam, quamquam nobilissimi odoris utramque. sed iris radice tantum commendatur,
unguentis nascens et medicinae. laudatissima in Illyrico, et ibi quoque non in maritimis, sed in silvestribus Drinonis et Naronae, proxima in Macedonia longissima haec et candicans et exilis. tertium locum habet Africana, amplissima inter omnes gustuque amarissima, Illyrica quoque duorum generum est: raphanitis a similitudine, quae et melior, rhizotomos. subrufa optima, quae sternumenta tractatu movet, caulem habet cubitalem, erectum. floret versicolori specie, sicut arcus caelestis, unde et nomen. non inprobatur et Pisidica. effossuri tribus ante mensibus mulsa aqua circumfusa hoc veluti placamento terrae blandiuntur, circumscriptam mucrone gladii orbe triplici cum legerunt, protinus in caelum adtollunt. natura est fervens, tractataque pusulas ambusti modo facit. praecipitur ante omnia ut casti legant. teredines non sicca modo verum et in terra celerrime sentit. optimum antea irinum Leucade et Elide ferebatur,—iampridem enim et seritur—, nunc e Pamphylia, sed Cilicium maxime laudatur atque e septentrionalibus.

This distinction too must not be forgotten, that many flowers, in spite of their perfume, are of no use for chaplets, for example, the iris and Celtic nard, although both have an exquisite perfume. But the iris is valued only for its root, being grown for unguents and for medicine. The most highly esteemed is found in Illyria, and even there not in the coastal districts, but in the woody parts near the Drinon and around Narona. Next after it comes the Macedonian iris, which is white, thin and very long. Third in estimation comes the African iris, which is the largest of all and the bitterest to the taste. The Illyrian moreover is of two kinds: raphanitis, so called from its likeness to the radish, which is the better kind, and rhizotomos. The best, which is reddish, causes sneezing if handled, and has an upright stem a cubit high. The flower is multi-coloured, like the rainbow; hence the name “iris.” The Pisidian variety, too, is by no means despised. Those who are going to dig it up pour hydromel around it three months previously. This is as it were a libation to please the earth. Then they draw three circles round it with the point of a sword, gather it and at once raise it heaven-wards. It is hot by nature, and when handled raises blisters like those of a burn. It is especially enjoined that those who gather it should be chaste. Not only when dried, but also when in the ground, it is very easily subject to worms. Previously the best iris oil used to be brought from Leucas and Elis—for it has been planted there a long time—now the best comes from Pamphylia, but the Cilician too is highly praised, as is also that coming from the northern parts.

iris

Ἴριζ, allusion aux couleurs diaprées de la fleur, qui rappellent l’arc-en-ceil ou écharpe d’Iris, messagère de Junon: «Floret diversi coloris specie, sicut arcus cælestis, unde et nomen», Pline, XXI, 19. — C’est probablement Iris florentina, L., peut-être aussi quelque espèce africaine, I. alata Lmk., I. mauritanica Clusius, I. stylosa Desf., I. juncea, Poir. (Paul Delaunay)

pas similitude

Toutes ces plantes, dans De latinis nominibus, sauf pour le delphinium.

Iris

Évoque l’arc-en-ciel ou écharpe d’Iris (Pline, XXI, xix).

iris

iris [adopted from Greek i’rij, stem i’rid-. The senses (except 3 and 6) correspond to those of the Greek word; so also French iris.]

Greek mythology. The goddess who acted as the messenger of the gods, and was held to display as her sign, or appear as, the rainbow; hence, allusively, a messenger.

In botany A genus of plants, the type of the natural order Iridaceæ, natives of Europe, N. Africa, and the temperate regions of Asia and America; most of the species have tuberous (less commonly bulbous or fibrous) roots, sword-shaped equitant leaves, and showy flowers; formerly often called Fleur-de-lis or Flower-de-luce.