Practical
Plants

Iris ensata

Japanese Water Iris

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Iris
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Many plants in this genus are thought to be poisonous if ingested, so caution is advised[15]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[11]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[11].

Edible uses

Root - the source of an edible starch[7][1][3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The root is alterative, anthelmintic, antidote, appetizer, depurative, diuretic, hepatic and vermifuge[14][4][9]. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of venereal affections, liver complaints and dropsy[12].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Appetizer
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

A fibre is obtained from the leaves, a substitute for hemp[13]. It is used for rope and coarse cloth[16]. Also used in thatching and basket making[2]. The root is long and fibrous, it is used for making brooms, brushes etc[4].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Broom
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Thatching

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia.
Habitat
Dry sandy plains near lakes, meadows, clay-solonetz places in steppes and solonetz meadows[16]. Marshes, ditches and wet grassy places[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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 in March or October. 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.

Cultivation

Prefers a light well-drained soil and a sunny position[13]. Prefers partial shade[6]. Likes plenty of moisture and a rich loamy slightly acid soil[17][8]. Requires a lime-free soil[10]. Some cultivars, in particular the 'Higo' strain, tolerate a pH up to 7.4[8]. Plants can be grown in containers in pond margins but are then best kept in drier conditions over winter[8]. This species is hardy to about -20°c[5]. Cultivated for its root in Japan[7]. (for the starch). There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[5][8]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  12. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  13. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  15. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  16. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩

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