[Illustration: 49]
Of this genus there is at present only one known species, the _alpina_
here figured, which is a native of Germany, and, as its name imports, an
alpine plant.
Its blossoms are bell-shaped, of a delicate blue colour, sometimes
white, and strikingly fringed on the edge.
It flowers usually in March, in the open ground; requires, as most
alpine plants do, shade and moisture in the summer, and the shelter of a
frame, in lieu of its more natural covering snow, in the winter; hence
it is found to succeed best in a northern aspect: will thrive in an open
border, but is more commonly kept in pots.
May be increased by parting its roots early in autumn.
[50]
~Iris sibirica. Siberian Iris.~
_Class and Order._
~Triandria Monogynia.~
_Generic Character._
_Cor._ 6-petala, inaequalis, petalis alternis geniculato-patentibus.
_Stigmata_ petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata. _Thunb. Diss. de Iride._
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
IRIS _sibirica_ imberbis foliis linearibus, scapo subtrifloro tereti,
germinibus trigonis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab._ _p._ 91.