Iris foetidissima
Stinking Gladwin
a perennial evergreen member of the Iris genus in the family Iridaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The roots of this plant are toxic to grazing mammals[2]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[11].
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Stinking gladwin has a long history of medicinal use, though it can be rather strong in its action and so is little used nowadays[14]. The root is anodyne, antispasmodic and cathartic[16][17]. A decoction of the roots acts as a strong purge, it has also been used as an emmenagogue and for cleaning eruptions[16]. The powdered or infused dried root is beneficial in the treatment of fainting, nervous complaints and to relieve pains and cramps[16][14]. The plant has been used as a cure for ringworm[13].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Cathartic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A good ground cover plant, succeeding in dense shade and in dry soils[7]. Rather slow to spread though, needing weeding for the first year or two[7]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[9].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Western Europe, including Britain, from France south and east to N. Africa, Italy and Greece.
- Habitat
- Open woods, hedgebanks and shady places, usually on calcareous soils[16][3][15]. It is often also found on sea cliffs[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is it is ripe in a cold frame[16]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame, it may take 18 months to germinate. 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 in July 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown and very tolerant plant, it succeeds in most positions in any good soil in sun or partial shade[18][10]. Succeeds in dense shade. Prefers a moist soil[16] but succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant[6]. Thrives in a bog garden[5]. Requires a well-drained soil containing some lime[1] and succeeds on pure chalk[10]. Established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect and can survive dense weed competition[K]. The evergreen leaves are not very hardy, being killed back by cold winds around -15°c[4], though the rootstock is much hardier and the plant soon recovers in spring. A good plant for woodland edges[12]. Plants often self-sow[208, K]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[6]. The crushed leaves emit a strong odour which, at a distance, resembles hot roast beef[16]. On closer acquaintance the scent becomes disagreeable[16]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
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
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae