# Section Iris (*Iris*)

The Section Iris is a beautiful flower with colorful petals that bloom in spring. They come in many colors like purple, yellow, and white, and they love sunny spots in gardens.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens

![Section Iris](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Iris_germanica_001.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Za, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iris_germanica_001.jpg)

## Appearance

The Section Iris has striking, often large flowers with three upright 'standards' and three drooping 'falls'. They come in almost every color of the rainbow, often with intricate patterns or 'beards' on the falls, making them distinctly ornate.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida

## Interesting facts

- Iris flowers inspired the 'fleur-de-lis' symbol, a majestic emblem historically linked to French royalty!
- Iris has been cultivated for thousands of years; ancient Egyptians used its flowers for decoration and in tombs!
- The fragrant roots of some Iris are used to make orris butter, a key ingredient in fancy perfumes!
- There are over 300 different species of Iris, each with unique shapes and dazzling color combinations!

## Special abilities

- **Underground Powerhouse:** Section Iris has thick rhizomes that store food and water, allowing it to survive droughts and spread widely.
- **Pollinator Beacon:** Section Iris's vibrant, uniquely shaped petals guide insects directly to its nectar, ensuring successful pollination.
- **Self-Rebuilder:** Section Iris can regrow from its rhizomes even if its top growth is damaged, helping it recover quickly.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-120 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-15 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Efficiently transfers pollen between blooms
- **Eaten by:** Potato aphid (*Macrosiphum euphorbiae*) — Sucks sap from leaves and stems
- **Parasitizes:** Gray mold (*Botrytis cinerea*) — Causes rot on petals and leaves

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Section Iris?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Section Iris?

30-120 cm

### How wide does Section Iris spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Section Iris?

5-15 cm

### When does Section Iris bloom?

Spring to early summer

### Is Section Iris edible?

No

### Is Section Iris toxic?

Mild

### What is Section Iris's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Section Iris: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/section-iris)