Practical
Plants

Iris germanica

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Iris
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
1.5 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.

The leaves, and especially the rhizomes, of this species contain an irritating resinous substance called irisin. If ingested this can cause severe gastric disturbances[9]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[8].

Edible uses

The root is dried and used as a flavouring[2][4].

Product or use
Condiment

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 diuretic, emetic, expectorant and mildly purgative[14][16][13]. Another report says that the juice of the fresh root is a strong purge of great efficiency in the treatment of dropsy[10]. In the past, sections of the dried root have been given to teething babies to chew on, though this has been discontinued for hygienic reasons[16]. Roots of plants 2 - 3 years old are dug up after flowering and are then dried for later use[14].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

The root is a source of Orris powder which has the scent of violets[8]. It is obtained by grinding up the dried root[10][14][11]. 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[10][3]. An essential oil is obtained from the fresh root, this has the same uses as the root[12][13]. The juice of the root is sometimes used as a cosmetic and also for the removal of freckles from the skin[10]. A black dye is obtained from the root[3]. A blue dye is obtained from the flowers[3]. The seeds are used as rosary beads[13].

Product or use
Baby care
Product or use
Beads
Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
The original habitat is obscure, it is probably of hybrid origin.
Habitat
Dry rocky places[5]
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
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. A sterile plant, it does not produce seed[7]. 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

A very easily grown plant that tolerates considerable neglect[7], it prefers a sunny position in a well-drained soil that contains some lime[1][15]. Grows well in dry soils in light deciduous shade[5]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[15]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5 or higher[6]. Many named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[5]. The plant is also sometimes cultivated for the essential oil in its root[16]. The plant is sterile and does not produce seed[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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  12. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩1↩2

  16. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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