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Iris setosa
Also called Alaska Iris, Arctic Blue Flag, Arctic Iris, Beach Head Iris, Mountain Iris, Wild Flag Iris
Iris setosa is a hardy, rhizomatous perennial iris with large blue to violet flowers in early summer, grown mainly in cool-climate and bog gardens. Its key to success is consistently moist soil, partial shade, and planting the rhizome with its top exposed.
Iris setosa, known as the beachhead iris or bristle-pointed iris, among other common names, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris of the family Iridaceae. This species belongs to the subgenus Limniris and the series Tripetalae. The plant is a rhizomatous perennial found in a wide range across and below the Arctic Circle; this range includes the United States (Alaska and Maine), Canada (including British Columbia, Newfoundland, Quebec, and Yukon), Russia (including Siberia), China, Korea, and Japan. The plant has tall branching stems; mid-green leaves; and flowers that are violet, purple-blue, violet-blue, blue, or lavender (or rarely, pink or white).
Iris setosa can adapt to various conditions, except heavy clay soils that dry out in summer. The species prefers to grow in moist or wet soils; in addition, it can tolerate bog conditions, especially during the growing season, when it needs much moisture. The species dislikes soils containing lime. It prefers to grow in partial shade, because full sun risks drought conditions.
The species is also suited to sunny portions of woodland gardens or bog gardens. It is suitable for growing in front of a border. Miniature versions are also suitable for rock gardens or sinks.
Herbalists have used the rhizome of Iris setosa for centuries as an ingredient in various medicines (similarly to the use of orris roots). However, all parts of Iris setosa are poisonous to humans when consumed raw. The rhizome contains iridin, which is an oleoresin; it can affect the liver and digestive organs, thereby causing vomiting, diarrhea, or allergic reactions such as severe rashes. The plant has been used by Alaska Natives as an ingredient in a poison put on arrowheads.
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 setosa 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.
