Purple Rainbow
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Purple Rainbow
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Born in the purple, born to joy and pleasance
Tho dost not toil nor spin
But makes glad and radiant with thy presence
The meadow and the lin.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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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; unedited; uncropped ... nature in all its natural splendour.
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Amazing Irises
Global Flowers Photography [Plus Pick Of The Day]
Iris Exquisite Beauty
Iris
Uploaded
March 13th, 2016
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Viewed 307 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/22/2024 at 3:28 AM
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Comments (25)
Jenny Rainbow
Connie, congratulations on being featured on home page of Iris Exquisite Beauty! Please activate the PIN button to be to pin it on our Pinterest board Iris Exquisite Beauty for more exposure!
Jasna Dragun
Congratulations on your feature in the "Global Flowers Photography" and as "Pick For The Day" 13.04. !! l/f
Elizabeth Tillar
Connie, this is a beautiful interpretation of the purple iris with a wonderful description! I love the colors, the style, and the abstract quality of this image! l/f/g+
Jerry Bokowski
Wow, is this gorgeous or WHAT? Love the colors just as they appear in real life with nothing added except the artistry of the photographer that captured it. Way to go, Connie!............. Fav / Like
Gabriella Weninger - David
Just another stunning capture Connie... Woooow.... soooo beautiful Image!!!
Jenny Rainbow
Always such a pleasure to visit your exquisite floral gallery, Connie! I love the curves of this iris, beauifully done!
Bruce Bley
Wonderful color, composition, and detail, Connie. F/L
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Bruce! I'm clicking more & more, posting more & more .. & getting behind more & more! thank you so much!! :))
Viktoriya Sirris
By looking at this gorgeous pallet of purple colors you can forget anything.... Amazing!!!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Perfect! glad you lost yourself in this piece .. & what a perfectly lovely thing to say; thank you so much! :))
Linda Lees
You've captured wonderful detail in this beautiful flower Connie, lovely work!
Connie Handscomb replied:
More thanks to you, Linda ...as I try .. try {& keep on trying} to catch up on my comments .. ; out quite a lot this week with the camera :))