Fairy Grotto Photograph by Connie Handscomb

Fairy Grotto

by Connie Handscomb

Canvas Print

$70

Framed Print

$79

Art Print

$23

Poster

$23

Metal Print

$76

Acrylic Print

$84

Wood Print

$56

Throw Pillow

$28

Duvet Cover

$135

Shower Curtain

$70

Bath Towel

$40

Tote Bag

$29

Weekender Tote Bag

$59

Zip Pouch

$27

Portable Battery Charger

$48

Greeting Card

$5.98

iPhone Case

$27

Beach Towel

$40

Round Beach Towel

$89

Weekender Tote Bag

$59

Title

Fairy Grotto

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

Hand in hand,
with fairy grace,
will we sing,
and bless this place
~William Shakespeare [fr. A Midsummer Night's Dream]

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Iris

Family = Iridaceae

"Iris", named after the Greek goddess Iris , means 'rainbow' ; wherever she went, a rainbow followed her.

'Flagge' is the Middle English word for reed ; hence the calling of these flowers 'flags'.

These showy blooms offer plenty of landing room for pollinators, with veins acting as guides on the landing strip. The leaves are vertical, grasslike, and assimilate light on both sides.

Iris has a long history as a medicinal herb. A powerful resin in the rhizome ['iris versicolor'] treats numerous ailments, incl heartburn and various stomach ailments, skin diseases, migraines. Iris was used as teething rings for infants, poultices for broken bones, and was even recommended for removing freckles. As a tea, it stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic system. The diuretic drug Iridin derives from the iris.

Native Americans tediously wove fibers from iris leaf edges to make strong rope, string, and netting.

Orris root [derived fr 'Iris florentina'] grown extensively on roofs in Normandy, France, is dried and used in perfumery. 'I. tectorum', grown on roofs in Japan, is used to make face powder. Orris is also used in syrups and gin.

The Greek 'machaironion' iris root , ground with flour, made a pasta called : macaroni!

And finally: according to the Victorian language of flowers, when the fine art of expressing one's (often romantic) thoughts was presented in symbolic poesies of flowers, the iris meant Good News, a Message, Faith, and Hope.

Sources:
The Flower Healers [Barbara Olive]
The Secrets of Wildflowers [Jack Sanders]
Irises.. A Romantic History [Susan Berry]
A Flower Lover's Miscellany [D.Barraclough]
The Romantic Language Of Flowers [Davies;Saunders]

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Captured in natural light; unaltared; unedited ... nature in all its natural splendour.

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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to F.A.A. groups for featuring this image :

Amazing Irises
Iris