1.
iris, Japanese iris
A flowering plant with sword-shaped leaves and showy purple, blue, or white flowers. Associated with late spring and early summer.
菖蒲 refers to iris flowers.
Note: The same kanji can be read as しょうぶ for a different plant (sweet flag/calamus), used in 端午の節句 (Boys' Day) baths.
Similar flowers often confused
- 菖蒲 (iris) - grows in dry land
- 杜若 (rabbitear iris) - grows in shallow water
- 花菖蒲 (Japanese iris) - grows in wet areas
Idiom: 「いずれ菖蒲か杜若」- both are so beautiful it's hard to choose (used for comparing equally attractive things/people)
Season: Late spring to early summer (May-June)