In the language of flowers dating back to the Middle Ages, iris flowers have conveyed many meanings and emotions, with the yellow iris signifying passion. Victorian suitors displayed the depth of their feelings by including yellow irises in bouquets sent to their love interests. In general, iris flowers symbolize hope, faith, wisdom and promise in love, but when singled out by color, the yellow iris is meant to convey passion.
Yellow iris, or yellow flag iris, is a perennial aquatic plant native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It was first introduced to North Americain the 1800s as an ornamental plant for ponds and water gardens. The plant has since spread to many waterways, including those in parts of southern Ontario. In addition to its use in gardens, it has been planted in wastewater ponds because it is known to absorb heavy metals.
Yellow iris can grow in both treed and open wetlands, along river and lake edges, and on floodplains. The plant spreads by seeds and by underground stems known as rhizomes that send out new shoots above the ground and roots below. Stands of yellow iris develop thick mats of rhizomes that can connect several hundred plants. Fragments of rhizomes that break off can also form new plants
- Yellow iris can form dense stands with very thick mats of rhizomes and dead leaves that can displace native plants and change wetlands from a wet to a drier environment.
- The plant reduces habitat available for wildlife, including native fish habitat and bird nesting and rearing sites.
- The dense mats can block water flow in irrigation and flood control ditches.
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