Iris cristata 'Alba'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Iris cristata var. alba
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris kris-TAH-tuh AL-ba
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The white crested dwarf iris is a cultivar of the native crested iris found in the eastern and southern United States.
White crested dwarf iris grows only up to 6 inches tall and readily spreads by rhizomes. Grow in fertile, moist, well-drained soils in partial shade. Propagation is best done by division.
In spring, 'Alba' has three white petals with a golden crest instead of purple petals like its parent. The leaves grow from the rhizomes and are narrow, sword-shaped and up to 6 inches long.
Use white crested dwarf iris as a ground cover in a partly shady location, a woodland garden, on slopes or rock garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails can be problematic.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Species:
- cristata
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Naturalizing, woodlands, rock gardens, native gardens,
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attractive to bees and hummingbirds
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Small white flowers of inner erect "standards" and 3 reflexed pendent "falls" marked with yellow crests
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow sword-shaped leaves up to 6 inches long
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Nausea, salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin), Irisin, iridin, or irisine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
