Purple Iris
Iris versicolor
Iris family (Iridaceae)
Least concern
Multicoloured and healing
Iris versicolor is a perennial plant that is native to eastern North America and Canada. The perennial part is the rhizome, which can eventually form large clumps of thick roots. The plant grows, preferably, in a wet, marshy soil.
The leaves are oblong and longitudinally folded down the middle to form a flat, overlapping fan. The flower is mostly bright blue in colour, although versicolor means 'many colours'.
The root is poisonous and for those with sensitive skin its sap can induce a skin irritation. In America Iris versicolor has the official status of medicinal herb as it works as, for example, an anti-inflammatory and can be used in the treatment of acne and eczema. In both Ayurveda (a holistic healing practice from India) and homeopathy, this iris is used for its medicinal properties.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Alkmaar Botanic Garden.
The species was widely used medicinally by native Americans including externally on burns, wounds, swellings and sores, and internally for liver and kidney disease.
Details
| Description: | Herb, up to 80 cm, rhizomatous, clump-forming. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | North america |
| Habitat: | Wetlands, damp and marshy areas. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic decidous) |
| Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |
| Flowering period: | Mei - juli |
| Flower color: | Blue, purple |
| Notes on flowers: | Blue-purple flowers 6-8 cm in width with three large, spreading or pendent petals alternating with three upright, often smaller, standard petals; pendent petals have a distinctive, veined, white basal spot. |
| At its best: | Mei - juli |