Iris persica
- noun
- Specialized
:
Iris persica
- Gardeners prize Iris persica for its pale lilac-colored flowers and unique fragrance.
Examples
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The delicate blooms of Iris persica add a touch of elegance to spring gardens.
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Botanists studied Iris persica to learn more about the diversity of Asiatic bulbous plants.
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The Iris persica blooms beautifully in spring.
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Many gardeners love the Iris persica for its unique color.
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Gardeners prize Iris persica for its pale lilac-colored flowers and unique fragrance.
-
The delicate blooms of Iris persica add a touch of elegance to spring gardens.
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The Iris persica blooms beautifully in spring.
Synonyms
A flowering bulb from western Asia with pale lilac spring flowers
How Blue
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
2
1.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
iris + persica
The headword 'iris' clearly denotes the flower, and the epithet 'persica' (a Latin adjective meaning 'Persian' or 'from Persia') would allow a learner who recognises it to infer this is a Persian/type-of iris. However, 'persica' is not a common English word and does not convey specific botanical details (bulbous habit, pale lilac color), so the relation is partially predictable but not fully transparent.
Etymology
Iris persica comes from two old words: Iris, the Greek name for the 'rainbow' (and a goddess) because many iris flowers are colorful, and persica, a Latin word meaning 'from Persia' (now Iran). So Iris persica literally means a 'Persian iris', which fits this bulbous plant that came from western Asia and has pale lilac flowers.