Translate this page:

Summary

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

Physical Characteristics

Iris_setosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) 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 June, and the seeds ripen in 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 and neutral soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Root - yields an edible starch[2, 105, 177, 183]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Roasted and ground seed is a coffee substitute[46, 61, 183, 257].

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.

A decoction of the root is used as a laxative[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

A dye is obtained from the petals, but the colour is not specified[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Massing, Specimen. Prefers a well-drained moist soil[79] but succeeds in most soils[42]. Dislikes lime and dry soils[42, 79]. The form from N. Hokkaido does not require an acid soil[187]. Cultivated for its edible root in Japan[2]. Many named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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. 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 September 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: Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Russian Federation (Habarovskij kraj, Primorye, Amur, Kamcatskij kraj, Magadanskaja oblast, Sakhalin), China (Jilin Sheng (east)), Korea, Japan NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Yukon), United States (Alaska, British Columbia)

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Iris setosa	Beachhead Iris, Canada beachhead iris, Wild flag	Perennial	0.6	4-8	M	LM	SN	MWe	1	1	1

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.

Now available: Food Forest Plants for Mediterranean Conditions 350+ Perennial Plants For Mediterranean and Drier Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens. [Paperback and eBook]

This is the third in Plants For A Future's series of plant guides for food forests tailored to specific climate zones. Following volumes on temperate and tropical ecosystems, this book focuses on species suited to Mediterranean conditionsâ€”regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, often facing the added challenge of climate change.

Iris_setosa - Pall.