Practical
Plants

Iris sibirica

Siberian Iris

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Iris
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 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[12]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[9]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[9].

Edible uses

Root - an edible starch is said to be extracted from it[6][2][3]. The root is not eaten in China[4]. Some caution is advised since there are reports that the plant might be poisonous. Perhaps the extracted starch is edible.

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.

Expectorant[4].

Product or use
Expectorant

Material uses

An insecticide is obtained from the plant[4]. (from the root?)

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
C. Europe to Russia.
Habitat
Damp woodland[11], pastures and heaths[1].
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
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 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

Prefers a humus-rich soil[13], succeeding in a moist border or by water[10][13]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. The plants are very cold tolerant, but they can be damaged when dormant if the soil is too moist[13]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[5]. Plant the roots out very shallowly[13]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[8].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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

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  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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  11. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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

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  13. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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