Practical
Plants

Iris filifolia

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Iris
Height
0.5 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[11]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[6]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[6].

Edible uses

Bulb - cooked. Used as a vegetable[4][8][10][1].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
S.W. Europe to N. Africa.
Habitat
Sandy and limestone soils[12] in dry rocky places[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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. 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 sunny position[7][12]. Requires a well-drained soil and needs to be kept dry in summer[3]. Established plants are drought tolerant[2]. Plants are best grown in a cold frame in Britain to protect them from summer damp[12]. Bulbs should be planted 7 - 10cm deep and will require feeding after they have flowered[12]. The leaves appear in the autumn and require protection from severe frosts[13]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[5].

References

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

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  2. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

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

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  4. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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  8. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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

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

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  12. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

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