Definition

Noun: A type of iris flower characterized by the presence of small, fuzzy, hair-like structures (the "beard") on the downward-curving petals known as the "falls."

Usage

The term "bearded iris" is used to identify and categorize a specific, common group of iris plants, distinguishing them from other types like beardless or crested irises. It is primarily used in horticulture, gardening, and botany.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden's centerpiece was a stunning collection of bearded irises in shades of purple and yellow.
  • For a classic perennial border, many gardeners recommend planting bearded iris rhizomes in the late summer.

Advanced Usage

• As a countable noun: It typically refers to a single plant or flower ("a bearded iris") or the group as a whole ("bearded irises").
• In taxonomic context: While "bearded iris" is a common name, it often refers to hybrids and cultivars derived from species in the group.

Variants and Related Words

• Iris (n): The broader genus of flowering plants to which the bearded iris belongs.
• Beard (n): In botany, specifically refers to the tuft of hairs on the sepal of the flower.
• Fall (n): Refers to the three drooping or flaring sepals of an iris flower.
• Rhizome (n): The thick, horizontal stem from which bearded irises grow.

Synonyms

• German iris (common name for , a primary species in this group).
• Flag iris (a less specific, sometimes regional name that can refer to bearded types).

Notes on Different Meanings

The term "bearded iris" has a very specific botanical/horticultural meaning and is not typically used idiomatically or with alternative definitions. Its meaning is consistently tied to the physical characteristic (the beard) of the flower.

Noun

1. any of numerous wild or cultivated irises with hairlike structures on the falls (the drooping sepals)