Iris germanica
| Iris germanica | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Iris germanica (common name: purple flag)
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[1].
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[1], it prefers a sunny position in a well-drained soil that contains some lime[2][3]. Grows well in dry soils in light deciduous shade[4]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[3]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5 or higher[5].
Many named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[4]. The plant is also sometimes cultivated for the essential oil in its root[6].
The plant is sterile and does not produce seed[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[1].
Range: The original habitat is obscure, it is probably of hybrid origin.
Habitat: Dry rocky places[4]
Edibility: The root is dried and used as a flavouring[7][8].
Medicinal: The root is diuretic, emetic, expectorant and mildly purgative[9][6][10]. Another report says that the juice of the fresh root is a strong purge of great efficiency in the treatment of dropsy[11]. 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[6]. Roots of plants 2 - 3 years old are dug up after flowering and are then dried for later use[9].
Usage: The root is a source of Orris powder which has the scent of violets[12]. It is obtained by grinding up the dried root[11][9][13]. 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[11][14]. An essential oil is obtained from the fresh root, this has the same uses as the root[15][10].
The juice of the root is sometimes used as a cosmetic and also for the removal of freckles from the skin[11].
A black dye is obtained from the root[14].
A blue dye is obtained from the flowers[14].
The seeds are used as rosary beads[10].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The leaves, and especially the rhizomes, of this species contain an irritating resinous substance called irisin. If ingested this can cause severe gastric disturbances[16].
Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[12].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Innes, Clive. The World of Iridaceae. Holly Gate, 1985.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.