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 sibirica - L.

Common Name Siberian Iris
Family Iridaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
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 Damp woodland[50], pastures and heaths[100].
Range C. Europe to Russia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Iris sibirica Siberian Iris


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Asio_otus
Iris sibirica Siberian Iris
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:BerndH

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect, Variable spread.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Iris sibirica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) 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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - an edible starch is said to be extracted from it[2, 105, 177]. The root is not eaten in China[178]. 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.
Expectorant

Expectorant[178].

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

Insecticide

An insecticide is obtained from the plant[178]. (from the root?)

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a humus-rich soil[79], succeeding in a moist border or by water[42, 79]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. The plants are very cold tolerant, but they can be damaged when dormant if the soil is too moist[79]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[187]. Plant the roots out very shallowly[79]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Wetlands plant, 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:

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 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 August/September after flowering but can also be done in April. 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 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 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

50200

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 sibirica  
© 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.