Practical
Plants

Iris japonica

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Iris
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Many plants in this genus are thought to be poisonous if ingested, so caution is advised[14]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[11]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[11].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - the source of an edible starch[6][2][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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The rhizome is used in the treatment of injuries[9]. A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of bronchitis, internal injuries, rheumatism and swellings[9].

Product or use
Miscellany

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[8].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Woodland hills[13], grassy and rocky slopes and among rocks by streams[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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 in July/August. 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.

Prefers a gritty well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in summer and shelter from early morning sun[1][12]. Prefers a lime-free soil but succeeds in most good soils[15][7]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[15], but plants flower better in a hot sunny position[5]. Established plants are drought tolerant[5]. Cultivated for its edible root in Japan[6]. A number of named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[4]. It is best to lift the plant in October, store in sand in a cool frost-free place over winter and plant out in March[1]. Plants have creeping aerial rhizomes that root at intervals[4]. The flowers are susceptible to damage by late frosts, the plants failing to flower after an exceptionally cold winter[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  13. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  15. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩1↩2

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