We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Iris foetidissima - L.

Common Name Stinking Gladwin, Stinking iris, Gladwin Iris
Family Iridaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards The roots of this plant are toxic to grazing mammals[100]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[238].
Habitats Open woods, hedgebanks and shady places, usually on calcareous soils[4, 17, 28]. It is often also found on sea cliffs[17].
Range Western Europe, including Britain, from France south and east to N. Africa, Italy and Greece.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Wet Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Iris foetidissima Stinking Gladwin, Stinking iris, Gladwin Iris


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Calimo
Iris foetidissima Stinking Gladwin, Stinking iris, Gladwin Iris
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Calimo

 

Translate this page:

Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Iris foetidissima is an evergreen 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 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from October to February. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Hedgerow; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Anodyne  Antispasmodic  Cathartic

Stinking gladwin has a long history of medicinal use, though it can be rather strong in its action and so is little used nowadays[244]. The root is anodyne, antispasmodic and cathartic[4, 61]. A decoction of the roots acts as a strong purge, it has also been used as an emmenagogue and for cleaning eruptions[4]. The powdered or infused dried root is beneficial in the treatment of fainting, nervous complaints and to relieve pains and cramps[4, 244]. The plant has been used as a cure for ringworm[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

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.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant, succeeding in dense shade and in dry soils[197]. Rather slow to spread though, needing weeding for the first year or two[197]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Rock garden, Specimen. An easily grown and very tolerant plant, it succeeds in most positions in any good soil in sun or partial shade[79, 233]. Succeeds in dense shade. Prefers a moist soil[4] but succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant[190]. Thrives in a bog garden[188]. Requires a well-drained soil containing some lime[1] and succeeds on pure chalk[233]. Established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect and can survive dense weed competition[K]. The evergreen leaves are not very hardy, being killed back by cold winds around -15°c[187], though the rootstock is much hardier and the plant soon recovers in spring. A good plant for woodland edges[24]. Plants often self-sow[208, K]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[190]. The crushed leaves emit a strong odour which, at a distance, resembles hot roast beef[4]. On closer acquaintance the scent becomes disagreeable[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Special Features: Flowers have an unpleasant odor, 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, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame, it may take 18 months to germinate. 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 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 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 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 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 tectorumRoof Iris, Wall iris, Japanese Roof, White Root IrisPerennial0.3 5-9 MLMSNDM10 
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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

elle   Mon Nov 27 2006

Survives poor conditions, mine are in dry shade by a wall. The strappy green leaves are not showy but look fresh and make a structural contrast among lower-growing plants. Don't be put off by the reputed smell: the roast beef scent is not that unpleasant and I've only noticed it once when sniffing a leaf which had died off. Flowers are rather drab in colour but the orange berries which follow in autumn are quite ornamental.

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 foetidissima  
© 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.