Yellow iris  (Iris pseudacorus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

Yellow iris flowers from May to July (6); it reproduces by seeds as well as by vegetative reproduction(3). It is thought by some to be the origin of the 'fleur-de-lis' device used on coats of arms (4).

In folk medicine, the rhizome of yellow iris was looked upon as something of a cure-all, being used to treat coughs, convulsions, toothache, diarrhoea, cramp, and as an antidote to poisoning (6). Furthermore, the flowers were used to produce a yellow dye, and the rhizome was used to make black dye (6).

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