Plant named for the goddess of rainbows
Orris (Iris germanica or Fleur-de-lis) is a herbaceous perennial of the Iridaceae family, growing to about 1m in sunny, well-drained soils in southern Europe. There are many members of the Iris family but they all display the characteristic branched, flowering stem, sword-like leaves and flowers with three upright and three lower petals and a yellow beard. There are two divisions of this family, one is bulbous and the other herbaceous, developing the recognisable thick, brown rhizome that grows about 10cm every year. Orris is a generic term referring to any product derived from Iris roots.
The Iris takes its name from the goddess of rainbows. The plant was dedicated to Juno and is the origin of the sceptre. It is on the brow of the sphinx, where the three lobes of the flower are supposed to represent faith, wisdom and valour.
Orris root was familiar to the ancients and Dioscorides claimed the best plants were to be found growing in Macedonia and Corinth, where the inhabitants were famed for their fragrant unguents.
The plant contains isoflavines, triterpenes, essential oil and myristic acid. It is a powerful diuretic, purge, demulcent and expectorant. The root is dried and ground into a powder, which in medieaval times was produced as snuff to clear ‘thin and serious humours from the brain’.
Culpeper recommended that it be mixed with honey or spikenard as it ‘…offend the belly’. It was then given to those suffering from stomach ague, jaundice, ailments of the liver and spleen, ‘… to purge the belly worms and stone’. It was also considered infallible in the treatment of dropsy and as a cure for erotic dreams, or, as it was called, ‘the unknowing loss of seed’. Victorian herbalists made toothpastes from the dried roots, which were specific for halitosis, in addition ointments were manufactured to treat ulcers, cankers, fistulas and piles. The essential oil of orris was added to unpleasant tasting medicines and passed off as the much more expensive oil of violets (caveat emptor).
I. pseudacorus is a treatment for toothache and will aid menstruation after a period of illness, it also yields a blue dye. I. versicolor is anti-inflammatory, stimulates circulation and flushes toxins from the body, it will reduce non-malignant enlargement of the thyroid gland.
The seeds from I. lactae var. chinensis are claimed to inhibit the DNA synthesis of cancer cells and promote cell immunity. The Chinese sell a preparation from the root of I. lactae as a treatment for obesity, probably deriving from the plant’s undoubted diuretic properties.
Orris root is used to flavour some liqueurs – it can be found in the form of rosary beads – babies’ dummies, cosmetics and pot-pourri. In parts of rural France, Irises are grown into the edges of thatch roofs to bind and protect the straw.
Irises grow very easily in Cyprus and make a beautiful background or border plant.
All parts of the fresh plant are poisonous and some sensitive individuals may suffer urticaria (nettle-rash) on contact.
Next week Holy sage
