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Iris pallida
Also called Dalmatian Iris, Fragrant Root Iris, Orris, Pale Iris
Sweet iris is a hardy bearded iris grown from a rhizome, valued for its fragrant root (orris) and pale, sword-shaped leaves. It thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and tolerates poor soil.
Iris pallida, the Dalmatian iris or sweet iris, is a hardy flowering perennial plant of the genus Iris, family Iridaceae. It is native to the Dalmatian coast (Croatia) but widely naturalised elsewhere. It is a member of the subgenus Iris, meaning that it is a bearded iris, and grows from a rhizome. It adapts well to different environments and is used in many different ways.
Iris pallida is cultivated in the Chianti region of Italy for its fragrance and medicinal properties. It is grown as a garden plant and commercially for the extraction of essential oils from its rhizome (orris root) which was historically used for medicinal purposes. Orris oil is used to add flavor and scent to foods, gins, and perfumes
The species' successful cultivation is partly due to its ability to thrive in different environments, including different climates and nutrient-poor soils. Iris pallida growth and flowering differ in different temperatures. Iris pallida flowers last longer than other Iris species, but take longer to develop, especially in colder climates.
For hundreds of years, Iris pallida was used medicinally. It is used today to flavor foods and drinks as well as for perfumes or air fresheners, which dates back to the 15th century when orris was used to impart fresh scents on linens. The plant's rhizomes are also used to make beads for children's teething necklaces as well as rosary beads.
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 pallida by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
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.
