English Iris Iris jacquinii
Previously known as:
- Iris cepifolia
- Iris latifolia
- Iris pyrenaea
- Iris xiphioides
- Xiphion jacquinii
- Xiphion latifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris jak-KIN-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Though often called English Iris for its prevalence as a favorite in England and exportation to the European continent Low Countries from there, this species is native to Spain and France and has had several previous names. It is one of the larger showy iris with the 3 inner erect standards of 1.5 - 2 inches tall and up to 2 inches wide. The 3 outer falls are also large at 2 - 3 inches long and 1 - 1.5 inches wide. The blueish-purple and sometimes pale blue, white or even yellow blooms are held at the top of 15-inch stalks in twos to three in late June. The strap-like leaves are up to 20 inches tall in a knife shape spreading at the base as a fan.
A perennial herbaceous herb, this plant likes full sun and should be kept damp during the growing season. This plant is great for use in beds, borders, and rock gardens. It can be naturalized by spreading bulbs and should be cultivated by division. When planting, bury the bulbs 8 inches to the base and spaced 6 inches apart at 6-10 bulbs per sq. ft.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
- 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:
- jacquinii
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northwest Spain, Pyrenees and France
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- 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:
- 1-several flowers at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards", variously colored, blooms in late spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Strap-like, overlapping at base, oriented in one plane
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. 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
