Iris (genus, "Okurareruka")

Japanese name: オクラレルカ
Scientific name: Iris

[Overview]
A perennial that prefers sunny, wet places.
It has rhizomes.
The leaves are borne alternately in two rows and are erect and sword-shaped, with an inconspicuous midrib.
The flowers, bluish purple and about 10 cm across, are borne at the tips of the flower stalks.
There are 6 tepals; the 3 outer tepals hang down and have a yellow stripe at the base.
The inner tepals are narrow and erect.

[Uses]
The leaves are often used as cut foliage in flower arrangements and the like.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing the clumps.
It prefers a sunny waterside and is best planted in paddy soil, though akadama soil or general potting mix will also do.
Plant in a moist place if growing in the ground; if growing in a pot, sink the container in water so that the water covers the base of the plant, and change the water about once a month.
Except in cold regions, it can overwinter outdoors even if the water freezes in winter, as long as the root clump is under water.
Care is needed about the rise in water temperature during the high temperatures of summer.
For fertilizer, bury slow-release fertilizer at the base of the plant during the growing period.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The name is said to derive from Iris ochroleuca (now called I. orientalis), but the plants now in circulation differ from the true Iris ochroleuca (white flowers with yellow blotches).
There are said to be records that Iris ochroleuca was once in circulation, and it seems that when a different plant was introduced at some point, only the name continued to be used and became established.
At present, Iris giganticaerulea, a type of Louisiana iris, and several other species or cultivars seem to be in circulation under the name Okurareruka.

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