Iris Sibirica

The iris is a vivacious plant of the Iridaceae genus which grows from rhizomes or a bulb. First spotted in Eastern Asia, the Siberian iris is one of the most common of over two hundred varieties, and is used in hybridizing. Catherine of Médicis made this flower popular at the XVI century French court. A century later, pulverized and sieved, its root became, an essence for perfuming wigs, hair and the make-up of courtesans. Iris is also used to whiten teeth. Its slightly powdery scent of furtive green whiffs is ravishing.