Yellow flag, Yellow Iris
Iris pseudacorus

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A perennial plant. It grows 90-150 cm high and 30-45 cm wide. It is a beardless iris. It has rhizomes. The leaves are blue-green. They are strong and stiff and sword shaped. They are 2.5 cm wide and 1 m long. The flowers are yellow. They are 8-9 cm across. They have brown veins which radiate out and an orange spot near the throat. The seeds are flat and float.

There are about 300 Iris species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It flourishes in marshy ground and shallow water. It will grow in water 15-23 cm deep. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Chile, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North Africa, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The peeled and dried rhizome is used for flavouring. The seeds are roasted and used for coffee. The starch of the root is a famine food used for extending bread flour, after removal of the bitter element.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, rhizome, root

How it is grown

Plants grow easily from seeds. They can also be grown from rhizomes.

Its other names

Local names

Lirio espanol. Lirio silvestre, Vodna perunika

Synonyms

Acorus adulterinus Garsault [Invalid]; Colchicum falcifolium Stapf; Iris acoriformis Boreau; Iris acoroides Spach; Iris lutea Lam.; and others.