Southern Iris

Member of Iris Family

Blooms: April - May

The Southern Iris is very beautiful and is native to France. It grows in rich moist or wet soils in shallow water marshes, swamps and on ditches and streams. It can even grow by a leaky faucet. They just need lots of water.

Southern Iris is great for edges of ponds and water gardens. This one was growing in water pond at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

The substance known as "orrisroot" is made from the dried, powdered roots of the iris. The fragrant powder is used in medicines and in the making of sachets, perfumes and some cosmetics. There is a wet area long the highway near my home that has dozens of these in Spring.