1. Named After a Rainbow Goddess: Irises get their lovely name from the ancient Greek goddess Iris, who was the swift messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow because of the flower's many brilliant colors!

2. A Rainbow of Petal Colors: Just like their mythological namesake, iris flowers come in almost every color of the rainbow—including deep purples, bright blues, sunny yellows, pinks, whites, and rich coppery browns.

3. Bumblebee Landing Strips: The unique shape of an iris flower is specially designed for pollinators. Bees crawl right into the blossom's open petals, brushing against pollen as they hunt for sweet nectar.

4. Underground Storage Bulbs and Rhizomes: Irises are tough survivors! Depending on the type, they grow from underground bulbs or thick, fleshy roots called rhizomes that store up water and food so the plant can pop right back up every spring.

5. The Ancient Royal Fleur-de-lis: For centuries, a stylized drawing of an iris flower—known as the fleur-de-lis—has been used as a famous symbol of royalty, flags, and coats of arms in history.

6.Sword-Shaped Green Leaves: Before they bloom, iris plants grow long, flat, pointy green leaves that look a lot like sharp wooden swords or fans, which is why people often call them "flag" irises.

7. The Colorful Ring Inside Your Eye: The iris is the gorgeous, colorful ring part of your eye! Whether your eyes are bright blue, deep brown, emerald green, or hazel, you are looking right at your iris.