Fringed iris

Description

Iris japonica (also known as 'fringed iris', 'shaga' or 'butterfly flower') is a native of China and Japan. It is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and within the Lophiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with pale blue, lavender or white flowers with an orange or yellow crest. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. Iris japonica is similar in form to Iris confusa, but the leaves are at ground level. It has short, slender, greenish, creeping rhizomes. It spreads by sending out thin, wiry, long stolons. They are shallow rooted, and form dense carpets and clumps. It is not invasive. It has basal deep green,dark green, yellowish green, or light green leaves. These are glossy (or shiny) on one side and dull on the other side. They are tinted, reddish purple, close to the rhizome and do not have a mid vein.These lance-shaped leaves, can grow up to between 25–60 cm (10–24 in) tall and 1.5–3.5 cm wide. The leaves are generally described as evergreen, and grow in a broad fan, with arching tips. It has wiry, stout stems that can grow up to 25–80 cm (10–31 in) tall. The 5–12 short, slender flower-bearing branches, (or pedicels) are near the top of the plant.The stiff pedicels can reach between 1.5–2.5 cm (1–1 in) long. The flowering stem (and branches) grow higher than the leaves.The stems have 3–5 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are lanceolate, and 9.5–2.2 cm (4–1 in) long. The stems (and the many branches) hold between 2 and 4 flowers,in spring and early summer,between March to April (in Japan) or April and May. The flowers are like Iris cristata flowers but paler and fancier. The short lasting flowers open in succession (one after another), for between 2,and 5 weeks. These flowers have a clove pinks aroma. The flattish, flowers are 4.5–6 cm (2–2 in) in diameter, and come in shades of pale blue,or pale lavender,or lilac,or purple, to white.