DOUGLAS IRIS.
Iris Douglasiana, Herb. Iris Family.
Rhizomes.—Stoutish; clumps not dense. Radical-leaves.—Strongly ribbed underneath; dark, shining green above; one to three feet long; three to eight lines broad; flexile; rosy pink at base. Stems.—Simple; two- or three-flowered. Flowers.—On pedicels six to eighteen lines long; deep reddish-purple, lilac, or cream. Perianth-tube.—Six to twelve lines long. Capsule.—Narrowly oblong; acutely triangular; twenty lines long. Seeds nearly globular. (Otherwise as I. macrosiphon.) Hab.—The Coast, from Santa Cruz to Marin County.
On account of the bright and varied hues of its flowers, the genus Iris was named for the rainbow-winged messenger of the gods. In France it is known as "fleur-de-lis," a name whose origin has caused endless discussion and has been accounted for in many ways. There are many species, all of them beautiful. Orris-root is the product of the lovely white Florentine Iris.
[BLUE-AND-WHITE LUPINE—Lupinus bicolor.]
![[BLUE-AND-WHITE LUPINE—Lupinus bicolor.]](#3624944100741987669_f115.png.id-7157137803972573508.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
In California we have several comparatively well-known species, and a number of others which are without names as yet; but the Douglas Iris is probably our most beautiful. It thrives well upon open mesas or upon well-drained hill-slope in the shelter of the chaparral. But it is found at its best in the rich soil of moist woodlands, whose seclusion seems the most fitting abode for so aristocratic a flower. There, surrounded by the delicate greenery of fern-fronds and a hundred other tender, springing things, it seems to hold a sylvan court, receiving homage from all the other denizens of the wood. There is a certain marked and personal individuality about these flowers which makes encountering them seem like meeting certain distinguished personages.