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Iberian Flag

Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima

Iberian Flag
Photo: Vahe Martirosyan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Family
Iridaceae (Iris family)
Grows as
Perennial
Light
Full sun
Water
Drought tolerant
Safety
Toxic

About

Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima is a subspecies in the genus Iris, subgenus Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a subspecies of Iris iberica and is a rhizomatous perennial, from Armenia, Turkey and Iran. It has large, thin and falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, slender stem with a single flower between April and May. It has a white, cream or pale yellow ground, which is covered in dark veining or speckling in violet, mauve, purple or brown shades. The larger standards are paler, normally white and less veined. The falls, have darker veining and a dark signal patch and brown or purple beard. It is commonly known as Iris elegantissima, especially in Europe and Russia. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, but normally needs some protection during the winter period.

How to grow it

'Oncocyclus Section' Irises are in general easier to grow than 'Regalia Section' irises. I. iberica subsp elegantissima is hardy to European Zone 4, (meaning hardy to −5 to −10oC (23 to 14oF).

In the UK, it needs to be covered through the winter, within an alpine house.

Safety

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

Other Iris plants

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 iberica subsp. elegantissima by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.

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