Iris caucasica (also known as Caucasian iris)[2][3] is a species of plant in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Scorpiris. Pronounced as 'kaw-KAS-ee-kuh'.[4]
It has a brown ovoid bulb with fleshy roots.[6] It is similar in form to Iris persica.[3]
It has grey green leaves,[7] which are ciliate[8] and that start growing at flowering time.[9] They reach up to 10–12cm long and l-2cm wide.[8] The leaves have a faint white margin.[10]
It has between 1–4 flowers per stem, normally pale yellow or green and with winged falls.[9] The falls also have a yellow ridge.[7] The flowers are 5–15cm (2–6in) across.[9] It flowers in late spring.[8] It eventually reaches a height of 15cm (flower and stem).[8] The flowers are not fragrant.[6]
In 1892, Michael Foster introduced a hybrid version Iris Caucasica 'Kharput'.[4] which does not have winged falls.[9] It still has 4–5 flowers per stem, which are greenish-yellow. But they are generally larger than parent plant.[6]
Folk use
A survey of plants used as folk medicine showed that Iris caucasica Hoffm. subsp. turcica (or Sarı nevroz, a local name used in Ovacık, Dersim) has been used as for folk medicine in Turkey. The flowers have been used in an infusion to treat colds. [12]
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