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Japanese iris (Iris ensata)
A tall, large-flowered iris with sword-shaped leaves, planted in damp gardens and along stream banks. Blooms June through early July in a wide range of cultivated colors.
花菖蒲を植えた。
I planted Japanese irises.
花菖蒲は梅雨の時期に見頃を迎える。
Japanese irises reach their peak during the rainy season.
花菖蒲には江戸系・伊勢系・肥後系など、産地ごとに特徴のある品種群がある。
Japanese irises come in regional cultivar groups — Edo, Ise, Higo — each with its own characteristics.
Often confused with アヤメ and 杜若 (rabbitear iris). The dividing rule of thumb: 花菖蒲 is the tallest and is grown on damp land, 杜若 grows in shallow water, and アヤメ prefers drier soil.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 杜若: rabbitear iris — water-grown; smaller; blooms slightly earlier
- アヤメ: Siberian iris — drier soil; smaller flowers
- 菖蒲: sweet flag — different plant entirely; the iris is the "花" (flowering) version of the name only
In the iris-festival custom on 端午の節句 (Boys' Day, May 5), it is the leaves of 菖蒲 (sweet flag), not 花菖蒲, that are used in the bath.
Related Words
Related:
杜若 (rabbitear iris)