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Summary
Bloom Color: Blue, Purple. Main Bloom Time: Late spring. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Iris pallida is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1.5 m (5ft) 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 from May to June. 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 and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Ground Cover;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment
The root can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a food flavouring[46, 171]. The root may take several years of drying to develop its full fragrance[168]. 'Orris oil' is an essential oil derived from the dried root, it is used as a flavouring in soft drinks, sweets, chewing gum etc[183].
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.
Cathartic
Cathartic[4]. 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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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
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Other Uses
Cosmetic Dye Essential
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 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 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]. 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, Rock garden, Specimen. Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil containing lime[42]. Easily cultivated in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil[187]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7.5 or higher[200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. Cultivated, especially in Italy, for the essential oil in its root[4]. The flowers are sweetly scented, reminding some people of orange blossom, others of vanilla and others of civet[245]. A very vigorous species[42]. The rhizome should be planted partly above the soil[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Special Features:
Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, All or parts of this plant are poisonous.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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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 after flowering, though it can be done at almost any time. 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 Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
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 :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Albizia lebbeck | Siris Tree, Woman's Tongue, East Indian Walnut | Tree | 15.0 |
10-11
| F | LMH | N | M | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Albizia lucidior | Potka siris tree | Tree | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Albizia procera | White Siris, Tall Albizia, Forest Siris | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Bobartia indica | Rush Iris | Perennial | 0.6 |
7-10
| S | L | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gynandriris sisyrinchium | Spanish Nut | Perennial | 0.2 |
7-10
| | MH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Iris cristata | Crested Iris, Dwarf crested iris | Perennial | 0.2 |
5-9
| M | LM | SN | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Iris decora | | Perennial | 0.3 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 1 | |
| Iris douglasiana | Mountain Iris, Douglas iris | Perennial | 0.3 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | DMWe | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Iris ensata | Japanese Water Iris | Perennial | 0.6 |
5-8
| M | LM | N | MWe | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Iris filifolia | | Bulb | 0.5 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Iris foetidissima | Stinking Gladwin, Stinking iris, Gladwin Iris | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-10
| M | LMH | FSN | DMWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Iris germanica | Purple Flag, German iris, Orris-root, Tall Bearded German Iris, Bearded Iris | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-10
| M | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Iris germanica florentina | Orris, Orris-root | Perennial | 0.9 |
5-10
| M | LM | SN | M | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Iris japonica | | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Iris kemaonensis | | Perennial | 0.5 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | |
| Iris macrosiphon | Bowltube Iris | Perennial | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | SN | M | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Iris missouriensis | Rocky Mountain Iris | Perennial | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Iris pseudacorus | Yellow Flag, Paleyellow iris | Perennial | 1.5 |
5-8
| M | LM | SN | MWeWa | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Iris purdyi | Purdy's Iris | Perennial | 0.4 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Iris sanguinea | Blood iris | Perennial | 0.8 |
5-9
| | LM | SN | MWe | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Iris setosa | Beachhead Iris, Canada beachhead iris, Wild flag | Perennial | 0.6 |
4-8
| M | LM | SN | MWe | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Iris sibirica | Siberian Iris | Perennial | 0.6 |
4-9
| F | LM | SN | MWe | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Iris tectorum | Roof Iris, Wall iris, Japanese Roof, White Root Iris | Perennial | 0.3 |
5-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Iris tenax | Tough-Leaf Iris, Klamath iris | Perennial | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Iris versicolor | Blue Flag, Harlequin blueflag | Perennial | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | MWe | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Solanum tuberosum | Potato, Irish potato | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Tagetes filifolia | Irish Lace | Annual | 0.4 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 0 | 2 |
|
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
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Botanical References
50200
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