Japanese Water Iris
Iris ensata

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink, Purple, Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect, Variable spread.

Iris ensata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Dry sandy plains near lakes, meadows, clay-solonetz places in steppes and solonetz meadows. Marshes, ditches and wet grassy places.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root - the source of an edible starch. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is alterative, anthelmintic, antidote, appetizer, depurative, diuretic, hepatic and vermifuge. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of venereal affections, liver complaints and dropsy.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Other

Rating: 2

A fibre is obtained from the leaves, a substitute for hemp. It is used for rope and coarse cloth. Also used in thatching and basket making. The root is long and fibrous, it is used for making brooms, brushes etc.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Broom: Used for sweeping the floor etc.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a light well-drained soil and a sunny position. Prefers partial shade. Likes plenty of moisture and a rich loamy slightly acid soil. Requires a lime-free soil. Some cultivars, in particular the 'Higo' strain, tolerate a pH up to 7.4. Plants can be grown in containers in pond margins but are then best kept in drier conditions over winter. This species is hardy to about -20°c. Cultivated for its root in Japan. (for the starch). There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Wetlands plant, Suitable for cut flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first year. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in March or October. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Many plants in this genus are thought to be poisonous if ingested, so caution is advised. The roots are especially likely to be toxic. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

I. kaempferi. I. lactea.