This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Iris pallida
  • Dalmation Iris

a perennial member of the Iris genus in the family Iridaceae.

Iris pallida - Köhler?s Medizinal-Pflanzen-079.jpg
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    Plants which grow close to or at soil level, not necessary providing a ground cover function.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Iris pallida has 1 edible uses listed
Iris pallida has 3 material uses listed
Iris pallida has 1 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Many plants in this genus are thought to be poisonous if ingested, so caution is advised[1]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[2]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[2].

Edible uses

Notes

The root can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a food flavouring[3][4]. The root may take several years of drying to develop its full fragrance[5]. 'Orris oil' is an essential oil derived from the dried root, it is used as a flavouring in soft drinks, sweets, chewing gum etc[6].

Unknown part

Condiment

Material uses

The root is a source of Orris powder which has the scent of violets[2]. It is obtained by grinding up the dried root[7][8][3]. It is much used as a fixative in perfumery and pot-pourri, as an ingredient of toothpastes, breath fresheners etc and as a food flavouring. The root can take several years of drying to fully develop its fragrance, when fresh it has an acrid flavour and almost no smell[7][5]. An essential oil is obtained from the fresh root, this has the same uses as the root[9][10].

The juice of the root is sometimes used as a cosmetic and also for the removal of freckles from the skin[7]. A black dye is obtained from the root[5]. A blue dye is obtained from the flowers[5].

Plants can be grown for ground cover, the dense mat of roots excluding all weeds[11].

Unknown part

Cosmetic
Dye
Essential

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Cathartic[7]. The juice of the fresh root is a strong purge of great efficiency in the treatment of dropsy[7].

Unknown part

Cathartic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first year. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division, best done after flowering, though it can be done at almost any time. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Iris pallida. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil containing lime[12]. Easily cultivated in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil[13]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7.5 or higher[14]. Established plants are drought tolerant[15].

Cultivated, especially in Italy, for the essential oil in its root[7]. The flowers are sweetly scented, reminding some people of orange blossom, others of vanilla and others of civet[16]. A very vigorous species[12]. The rhizome should be planted partly above the soil[17].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Iris pallida. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Iris pallida.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Iris pallida
Genus
Iris
Family
Iridaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[7]
Material uses & Functions
[2][7][8][3][5][9][10][11]
Botanic
[19][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Condiment)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Cosmetic)
  • Unknown part (Dye)
  • Unknown part (Essential)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Cathartic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
1 x 1.5 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
  10. ? 10.010.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. (1938-00-00)
  13. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  15. ? Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  16. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  17. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  18. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
  19. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-45" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Iris_pallida&oldid=77942"