We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Iris tectorum - Maxim.

Common Name Roof Iris, Wall iris, Japanese Roof, White Root Iris
Family Iridaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Many plants in this genus are thought to be poisonous if ingested, so caution is advised[65]. The roots are especially likely to be toxic[238]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[238].
Habitats Grows wild on shady rocky slopes and in scrub, it is also found planted on thatched roofs in Japan. Forest margins, sunny banks, meadows, damp places, beside water to 3500m[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Iris tectorum Roof Iris, Wall iris, Japanese Roof, White Root Iris


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Iris tectorum Roof Iris, Wall iris, Japanese Roof, White Root Iris
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Purple. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Iris tectorum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly 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

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - an edible starch is said to be extracted from it[2, 105, 177]. Some caution is advised since there are reports that the plant might be poisonous. Perhaps the extracted starch is edible.

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Seashore. Prefers a well-drained loam rich in leafmold with plenty of moisture in summer and an open sunny position[1, 42, 79, 200]. Requires a really well-drained soil that is dry rather than damp, and a hot sunny position[233]. Prefers a lime-free soil but succeeds in most good soils and in partial shade[79]. Succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant[190]. Cultivated for its edible root in Japan[2]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[233]. In China the plants are grown on the roofs of houses[190]. Plants do not flower so freely in cultivation in Britain. In their native habitat they experience cold dry winters and warm wet summers[187]. It is best to lift the plants in October, store them in sand in a cool frost free place over winter and replant in March[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Special Features: All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

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. Stored seed does not require cold conditions in order to stimulate germination. 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 July/August 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea TROPICAL ASIA: Myanmar (possibly)

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 NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Albizia lebbeckSiris Tree, Woman's Tongue, East Indian WalnutTree15.0 10-11 FLMHNM124
Albizia lucidiorPotka siris treeTree15.0 10-12 FLMHSNM003
Albizia proceraWhite Siris, Tall Albizia, Forest SirisTree25.0 10-12 FLMHNM124
Bobartia indicaRush IrisPerennial0.6 7-10 SLNDM001
Gynandriris sisyrinchiumSpanish NutPerennial0.2 7-10  MHSNDM10 
Iris cristataCrested Iris, Dwarf crested irisPerennial0.2 5-9 MLMSNM11 
Iris decora Perennial0.3 -  LMNDM01 
Iris douglasianaMountain Iris, Douglas irisPerennial0.3 6-9  LMSNDMWe001
Iris ensataJapanese Water IrisPerennial0.6 5-8 MLMNMWe112
Iris filifolia Bulb0.5 -  LMNDM10 
Iris foetidissimaStinking Gladwin, Stinking iris, Gladwin IrisPerennial1.0 7-10 MLMHFSNDMWe023
Iris germanicaPurple Flag, German iris, Orris-root, Tall Bearded German Iris, Bearded IrisPerennial1.0 4-10 MLMSNDM132
Iris germanica florentinaOrris, Orris-rootPerennial0.9 5-10 MLMSNM133
Iris japonica Perennial0.6 -  LMSNDM123
Iris kemaonensis Perennial0.5 -  LMSNDM02 
Iris macrosiphonBowltube IrisPerennial0.2 -  LMSNM011
Iris missouriensisRocky Mountain IrisPerennial0.8 0-0  LMSNMWe121
Iris pallidaDalmation Iris, Sweet iris, Fragrant Iris, Zebra IrisPerennial1.0 4-10 MLMSNDM213
Iris pseudacorusYellow Flag, Paleyellow irisPerennial1.5 5-8 MLMSNMWeWa122
Iris purdyiPurdy's IrisPerennial0.4 -  LMSNDM001
Iris sanguineaBlood irisPerennial0.8 5-9  LMSNMWe011
Iris setosaBeachhead Iris, Canada beachhead iris, Wild flagPerennial0.6 4-8 MLMSNMWe111
Iris sibiricaSiberian IrisPerennial0.6 4-9 FLMSNMWe111
Iris tenaxTough-Leaf Iris, Klamath irisPerennial0.3 0-0  LMSNDM012
Iris versicolorBlue Flag, Harlequin blueflagPerennial0.6 4-8  LMSNMWe032
Solanum tuberosumPotato, Irish potatoPerennial1.0 7-10  LMHNM523
Tagetes filifoliaIrish LaceAnnual0.4 8-11  LMHNDM102

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

Maxim.

Botanical References

58200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Iris tectorum  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.