Iris pseudacorus
2699753
225585250
2008-07-14T12:46:02Z
125.2.181.27
:''This article is about the yellow flag iris. For the penalty flags in American football, see [[American football#Penalties]]. For the yellow flag used in auto racing, see [[Racing flags]].''
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Iris pseudacorus''
| image = Iris pseudacorus 001.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = yellow iris
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Iridaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Iris (plant)|Iris]]''
| subgenus = ''[[Limniris]]''
| sectio = ''Limniris''
| species = '''''I. pseudacorus'''''
| binomial = ''Iris pseudacorus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Iris pseudacorus''''' is a species of ''[[iris (plant)|Iris]]'', native to [[Europe]], western [[Asia]] and northwest [[Africa]]. Common names include '''yellow iris''' and '''yellow flag'''. Its [[specific epithet]], meaning "false acorus," refers to the similarity of its leaves to those of ''[[Acorus calamus]]'', as they have a prominently veined mid-rib and sword-like shape.
[[Image:Iris pseudacorus from sweden.jpg|left|thumb|Close-up of flowers]]
It is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]] growing to 1-1.5 m (or a rare 2 m) tall, with erect [[leaf|leaves]] up to 90 cm long and 3 cm broad. The [[flower]]s are bright yellow, 7-10 cm across, with the typical iris form. The [[fruit]] is a dry [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] 4-7 cm long, containing numerous pale brown seeds.
''Iris pseudacorus'' grows best in very wet conditions, and is often common in [[wetland]]s, where it tolerates submersion, low [[pH]], and anoxic soils. The plant spreads quickly, by both [[rhizome]] and water-dispersed seed. It fills a similar niche to that of ''[[Typha]]'' and often grows with it, though usually in less deep water. While it is primarily an aquatic plant, the rhizomes can survive prolonged dry conditions. Yellow iris has been used as a form of water treatment since it has the ability to take up [[heavy metals]] through its roots.
Large iris stands in western Scotland form a very important feeding and breeding habitat for the endangered [[Corn Crake]].
''I. pseudacorus'' is one of two Iris species native to [[Great Britain|Britain]], the other being '''[[Iris foetidissima|Stinking Iris]]''' (''Iris foetidissima'').
===Cultivation and uses===
The rhizome has historically been used as a [[herbalism|herbal remedy]], most often as an [[emetic]]. When applied to the skin or inhaled, the [[tannin]]-rich juices can be acrid and irritating.
It has been planted nearly worldwide as an [[ornamental plant]], with several [[cultivar]]s selected for bog garden planting.
In some regions it has escaped from cultivation to establish itself as an [[invasive species|invasive]] [[aquatic plant]] which can create dense, monotypic stands that outcompete other plants in the ecosystem. Where it is invasive, it is tough to remove on a large scale. Even ploughing the rhizomes is often ineffective, and its eradication is highly unlikely. It has been banned in some areas but is still widely sold in others for use in gardens, and it will continue to be planted by gardeners unaware of or unconcerned with its invasive potential.
<gallery>
Image:Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus Flower 1469px.jpg|Closeup
Image:Iris_pseudacorus_01.jpg|Iris pseudacorus
Image:Iris_Pseudacorus.jpg|Iris pseudacorus
Image:Illustration_Iris_pseudacorus0.jpg|Iris pseudacorus
Image:Iris pseudacorus fruit.JPG|Fruit
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Fleur-de-lis]]
*[[Flag of the Brussels-Capital Region]]
==References==
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Iris&SPECIES_XREF=pseudacorus&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: ''Iris pseudacorus'']
*[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Iris+pseudacorus Plants for a Future: ''Iris pseudacorus'']
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20385 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Iris pseudacorus'']
{{Commons|Iris pseudacorus}}
[[Category:Iris]]
[[Category:Flora of Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[br:Elestr]]
[[cs:Kosatec žlutý]]
[[da:Gul Iris]]
[[de:Sumpf-Schwertlilie]]
[[et:Kollane võhumõõk]]
[[es:Iris pseudacorus]]
[[fr:Iris des marais]]
[[fy:Barchjeblom]]
[[ga:Feileastram]]
[[it:Iris pseudacorus]]
[[he:אירוס ענף]]
[[lt:Geltonasis vilkdalgis]]
[[nl:Gele lis]]
[[nds-nl:Pinksterbloeme]]
[[ja:キショウブ]]
[[no:Sverdlilje]]
[[pl:Kosaciec żółty]]
[[fi:Keltakurjenmiekka]]
[[sv:Svärdslilja]]
[[uk:Півники болотні]]