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Iris germanica florentina - (L.)Dykes.

Common Name Orris, Orris-root
Family Iridaceae
USDA hardiness 5-10
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[274]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[238].
Habitats Probably an albino form of I. germanica, it is not found in a truly wild situation[89].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Iris germanica florentina Orris,  Orris-root


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koeh-078.jpg
Iris germanica florentina Orris,  Orris-root
http://www.flickr.com/photos/versicolor/442527595/

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Iris germanica florentina is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

I. florentina. L.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The root can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a food flavouring[105]. The root may take several years of drying to develop its full fragrance[168].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Purgative  Stomachic

The dried root is diuretic, expectorant and stomachic[21, 238]. It is taken internally in the treatment of coughs, catarrh and diarrhoea[238]. Externally it is applied to deep wounds[238]. The root is harvested in late summer and early autumn and dried for later use[238]. The juice of the fresh root is a strong purge of great efficiency in the treatment of dropsy[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Beads  Cosmetic  Dye  Essential  Incense

The root is a source of Orris powder which has the scent of violets[238]. It is obtained by grinding up the dried root[4, 7, 46]. 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 violet-like fragrance, when fresh it has an acrid flavour and almost no smell[4, 168]. An essential oil is obtained from the fresh root, this has the same uses as the root[57, 61]. The root has been burnt in open fires in order to sweeten the smell of a room[245]. The juice of the root is sometimes used as a cosmetic and also for the removal of freckles from the skin[4]. A black dye is obtained from the root[168]. A blue dye is obtained from the flowers[168]. The seeds are used as rosary beads[61]. Plants can be grown for ground cover, the dense mat of roots excluding all weeds[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Specimen. Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained soil that contains some lime[1, 79]. Grows well in dry soils in light deciduous shade[187]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[79]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5 or higher[200]. The plant is sometimes cultivated for the essential oil in its root[9, 46]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Special Features: Attracts birds, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant 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[233]. Division, best done after flowering though it is usually successful at most times of the year. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Dykes.

Botanical References

89200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

[email protected]   Mon Jan 23 2006

i am from morocco i have iris for sale

   Tue May 1 2007

Does anybody know if the base of the leaves of Iris Florentina has a purple tinge? Or does somebody know any Iris Germanica with such purple tint at the base of the leaves? Many thanks for an answer. Robert François

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   Mon Nov 30 2009

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