Hudiehua, Butterfly flower
Iris japonica

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A fleshy stemmed iris. It grows 60-80 cm high and spreads 45-60 cm wide. The leaves are at the base and are shiny on one end and dull on the other. The leaves are sword shaped and 25-60 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. Both blue and white flowered types occur. Flowers have orange and purple markings.

There are about 300 Iris species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in shady places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Myanmar, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tibet

How it is used for food

Starch is extracted from the roots.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Evansia chinensis (Curtis) Salisb.; Evansia fimbriata (Vent.) Decne; Evansia japonica (Thunb.) Klatt; Iris chinensis Curtis; Iris fimbriata Vent.; Moraea fimbriata (Vent.) Loisel.; Xiphion fimbriatum (Vent.) Alef.;