Iris japonica (Introduced)

Perennial rhizomatous herb; stems up to 80 cm tall, branched; leaves sword-shaped, up to 50 cm long, glossy green on upper surface, paler beneath, midvein absent; flowering stems with 5-12 short branches; spathes 2-4 flowered; flowers 5-7 cm across; perianth tube 12-16 mm long; falls obovate or elliptic, lavender to nearly white with yellow-orange spots in center with blue blotches around the center, margin denticulate, undulate; standards spreading, oblong, 3-3.5 cm long, clawed, mauve or whitish, denticulate, undulate; style branches pale blue, fimbriate at tip; capsule ellipsoid, 3 cm long.
Photographed from Herbal Garden above Botanical Garden in Kashmir.

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I had known about several species of Iris being grown in Kashmir to decorate graveyards and as ornamentals, and a few forming enormous meadows both in the valley (Iris lactea, which for a long time was identified as I.ensata) and alpine hills (I. hookeriana). These species were mostly possesed by me in the form of dried speciments. I missed photograhing these in previous years as they are early flowering plants, and I would miss their flowering. This year I planned an early visit to Kashmir to catch these and other similar flowers. Luckily I was able to catch almost all, but my prized click was this species which I found in gardens for the first time in Kashmir.

Despite its scientific name, the plant is neither a native of Japan (rather being a native of China), nor bearing the common name Japanese iris (which belongs to Iris ensata).

Photographed from Botanical Garden below Cheshma Shahi in Kashmir.
The species has been widely cultivated in different parts of the world and has been given ‘Award of Garden Merit’ by Royal Horticultural Society.

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Superb photograph and interesting write up.

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Thanks for including one of the most beautiful Iris species as your picture of 2012.
I have added this to Flora Picture2012

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Very fine picture! This Iris has developed beautiful nectar guides. Thank you sir for showing this to us.

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Identify please : 5 posts by 4 authors. Attachments (1)
Khecheopalri Lake, Sikkim
July 2, 2016

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I think some Iris species.
Pl. send pictures of the leaves also.

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Thanks … Closely resembles to Iris japonica

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Please check for Iris japonica Thunb.

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Pretty flower, well captured;
The place must be full of leeches in July- suffered my first leech bites here.
Agree with id – good habitat match.

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