Iris tenax
| Iris tenax | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Iris tenax
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 early September after flowering but it can also be done in March. 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: Requires a really well-drained lime-free soil that is dry rather than damp[1][2]. Succeeds in dry shade according to another report which also says that, once established, it is drought tolerant[3]. Very easy to grow in a lime-free woodland soil[4]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[4].
A very ornamental plant[5].
Hybridizes freely, especially with other Pacific Coast Irises[6].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[2].
Range: Western N. America - Washington to Oregon.
Habitat: Open prairies, pastures, oak forests, logged land and open areas in coniferous forests, avoiding heavy shade[7].
Medicinal: A tincture of the whole plant, or the bulbous stems, is given in the treatment of bilious vomiting and is recommended for treating depression[8].
Usage: A fibre from the leaves is used in weaving and making ropes[5][8]. The fibre is buoyant, strong and durable[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Many plants in this genus are thought to be poisonous if ingested, so caution is advised[10]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[11].
Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[11].
Also Known As: I. gormanii.
Links
References
- ↑ Innes, Clive. The World of Iridaceae. Holly Gate, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Alpine Garden Society. Alpine Garden Society Bulletin Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.