Golden Iris

Description

Iris crocea is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, found in Kashmir. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also commonly known as Golden Iris or Golden Flag. It was also known as Iris aurea for a long time, before that was regarded as a synonym of Iris crocea. It is similar in form to Iris orientalis but with larger flowers. It has stout rhizomes, and it has long, erect, straight, and (ensiform) sword-like leaves. Measuring between 50–90 cm (20–35 in) long and 1.5–2.5 cm wide. It has a stout, terete (round in cross-section) 95–180 cm (37–71 in) long stem. It has few branches, and it has 2–3 green, between 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, spathes (leaves of the flower bud). The stems hold 2–3 flowers, one terminal (top of stem) and two lateral (further down the stem), blooming early summer, between April and June, or June and July (in the UK). It has large flowers which are 12–18 cm (5–7 in) in diameter, in shades of yellow, from pure yellow, to bright yellow, to golden yellow. It has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'. The wavy edged falls, are 9 cm (4 in) long and 4–5 cm wide. They have a narrow 3–4 cm long haft (section of petal closest to the centre). The standards are oblanceolate, wavy edged (or crinkled), measuring 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long. It has a 3.5–4 cm long style, with a deltoid crest, in the same shade of colour as the petals. It has a 1–1.5 cm long perianth tube, and a 3–4 cm long pedicel. After the iris has flowered, it produces an oblong seed capsule, measuring 3.8–4 cm long. It has 6 angles and beak. It is native to tropical regions of Central Asia. It is found in Kashmir, and Jammu in India. It is also found in the west Himalayas., in Bhutan, Pakistan and China. In 1992, it was studied to find the chemical composition of the iris, using spectroscopic and chemical methods. Several compounds were found including an isoflavone, called glucoside. In June 2012, a phytochemical study was carried out on 5 iris species growing in Kashmir, India. Including Iris crocea, Iris ensata, Iris germanica, Iris hookeriana and Iris kashmiriana. It found several flavonoids (including isoflavonoids, glycosides and tannins), within the irises.