Practical
Plants

Iris purdyi

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Iris
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.35 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[9]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[7]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[7].

Material uses

A fibre is obtained from the leaves. Traditionally the N. American Indians would take just the one outside fibre from each side of a leaf. This must have necessitated using a huge number of leaves. It makes a beautifully strong and pliable cord or rope[12]. The fibre can also be used for making paper[4] The leaves are harvested in summer after the plant has flowered, they are scraped to remove the outer skin and are then soaked in water for 2 hours prior to cooking. The fibres are cooked for 24 hours with lye and then beaten in a ball mill for 3 hours. They make a light tan paper[4].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Paper

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - N.W. California.
Habitat
Redwood forests and mixed forests along the coastal range, open woods and roadside banks[10][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
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. 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

Easily grown in a well-drained rather dry sandy soil in partial shade[3]. Requires a lime-free soil[11]. Prefers a good leafy soil[8]. Plants resent root disturbance, they should be pot grown and planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible. Any moving is best carried out in early September[1]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, particularly other Pacific coast irises[2]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[6].

References

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

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  2. ? Alpine Garden Society Bulletin. Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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

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  10. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

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  11. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

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  12. Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2

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