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Iris dichotoma
Iris dichotoma (also known as Vesper iris) is a species in the genus Iris and is also in the subgenus of Iris. It was once formerly known as Pardanthopsis dichotoma as it was placed in a genus of its own before DNA testing resulted in it returning to the genus Iris. It is native to the forests and grasslands of Siberia, China, Mongolia and Korea. It has long greyish green leaves, long branched stems carrying many flowers in summer or late summer. In shades of violet, mauve to purple, lavender, pale blue, white or pink. They appear in the late afternoon at the time of Vespers (a service of evening prayer).
Iris dichotoma is difficult to cultivate and they are not recommended for amateurs, thought more as a collector's plant. They are often treated as a biennial by many gardeners as it can be quite short lived, especially the hybrids.
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 6 and Zone 10, meaning it can withstand temperatures down to −23.3 °C (−10 °F), or −20 °C. It requires no winter protection (in Pittsburgh).
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (especially the rhizome and leaves), and if mistakenly ingested they can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Iris dichotoma is used in Chinese herbal medicine, and has been used to treat several disorders, such as inflammation, throat disorders, asthma and coughs.
Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata · Iris acutiloba · Iris adriatica · Iris afghanica · Iris alberti · Iris albomarginata · Iris alexeenkoi · Single Bract Iris · Iris antilibanotica · Stool iris · Iris arenaria · Iris assadiana
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Iris dichotoma by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
