They sound like some type of beardless iris rhizomes, but which type is anyone's guess. They should have roots, and they should have been kept moist at all times while out of the ground. If they were allowed to dry out, they may not be viable.

Laurie

I am not an authority on cat poo since I am a lover of dogs, but it sounds like the irises are either Louisianas, pseudacorus, or spurias. Do any of these ring a bell?

If you live in TN, you can probably eliminate spurias.

You need to get them in the ground pronto whatever they are.

Walter Moores

They could be bearded if they have been growing in grass or under conditions that require them to barely hang on and never bloom. Bearded iris rhizmes sometimes will grow very long with only a couple of roots at the front end under the fan at any given time. The holes underneath would be where the old roots rotted out.

But then I've seen several other species that could fit your description too.

Mike

I have dug bearded iris from two locations that had been growing wild for several years and were in thick grass. Many of these rhizomes were thin and several inches long with the only roots on the end with the fan. I agree with Mike that they could be bearded but might not be. Lee Mincy

They could be Louisiana Iris Rhizomes. Louisiana Iris Rhizomes are very long and of a uniform thickness. They have little eyes on them as you describe.

Maybe the internet has a picture of one that you can check out.

I'd say plant them and find out come spring. Most want full sun, water varies but this time of year you can plant and wait and figure it out later.

An iris rhizome without leaves does look like a turd. When I moved forgotten iris from my mother in laws house I was finding rhizomes that were well over a foot long. They were totally neglected and tangled with an old blue siberian and a bunch of tiger lily bulbs. I was actually a fun bed to dig up because every shovel full came up with something.

I had been thinking Lousianas, but I could not find a picture of the rhizome on the web. I will get them into the ground tomorrow first thing. Thanks!

I have nothing to contribute, I just wanted to say thanks.
Seeing a plant described as looking like "poo" just made me smile.

I'm with Kato B lol But I have been given one that was a narly peace of root too and just know it is a iris. Way cool maybe we should rename one cat poo iris lol....

Ok moving to my corner now