Iris sanguinea

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^[7]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic^[4]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people^[4].

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.

Expectorant^[2].

An insecticide is obtained from the plant^[2]. (from the root?)

Environment

Range

E. Asia - Korea, Japan.

Habitat

Damp meadows, sunny pond banks, mountain stream banks and hillsides around 500 metres^[5].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

high

Hardiness

Zone 6+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, heavy clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Drainage

well drained

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

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 in August/September after flowering but can also be done in April. 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

An easily grown plant, it prefers a humus-rich soil^[8]^[1], succeeding in a moist border or by water^[6]^[8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very cold tolerant, but they can be damaged when dormant if the soil is too moist^[8]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties^[1]. Plant the bulbs out very shallowly^[8]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits^[3].

References

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

↩1 ↩2

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

↩1 ↩2

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

↩1 ↩2

Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/