Orris

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Origin Unknown

Biocultural value

Violet-scented essential oil from the rhizomes is added to perfumes, cosmetics, candies and soft drinks. It also enhances fruit flavors in food processing.Dried rhizomes smell like violets. They are used to scent linens and as a fixative in perfume and potpourri.

Location

Robison Herb Garden, Robison Herb Garden, Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Ethel Little

Description

Perianth segments nearly white with traces of blue or purple; often confused with I. albicans (DS 3). Flowers white, slightly flushed with blue; late spring blooming. This plant has been much confused with I. albicans, from which it differs in the flowers being neither pure white nor blue, and the bracts beingbrown-papery. Lateral flowers, if present, are borne on short stalks. It is probably an albino cultivar close to I. xgermanica (DS 194).

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

fragrance, other ethnobotanical uses, notable texture