Iris pallida


Iris pallida, the Dalmatian iris or sweet iris, is a hardy flowering perennial plant of the genus Iris, family Iridaceae. It is native to the Dalmatian coast but widely naturalised elsewhere. It is a member of the subgenus Iris, meaning that it is a bearded iris, and grows from a rhizome. It adapts well to different environments and is used in many different ways.

Description

This iris prefers rocky places in the Mediterranean and Submediterranean zone and reaches sometimes montane regions at its southern range in Montenegro. It grows to a stem height of. The leaves are bluish-green in color, and sword-shaped, in length, and in width. The inflorescence, produced in May/June, is fan-shaped and contains two or three flowers which are usually pale purplish to whitish.

Cultivation

Iris pallida is cultivated in the Chianti region of Italy for their fragrance and medicinal properties. It is grown as a garden plant, and commercially for extraction of essential oils from its rhizome which was historically used for medicinal purposes. Orris oil is used to add flavor and scent to foods, gins, and perfumes
The species' successful cultivation is partly due to its ability to thrive in different environments, including different climates and nutrient-poor soils. Iris pallida growth and flowering differ in different temperatures. Iris pallida flowers last longer than other Iris species, but take longer to develop, especially in colder climates.
The variegated cultivar 'Variegata' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Uses

For hundreds of years, Iris pallida was used medicinally. It is used today to flavor foods and drinks as well as for perfumes or air fresheners, which dates back to the 15th century when orris was used impart fresh scents on linens. The plant's rhizomes are also used to make beads for children's teething necklaces as well as rosary beads.

Subspecies

Three subspecies of Iris pallida s.l. are recognised by some authors as species: Iris pallida subsp. cengialti, from Slovenia and adjacent Italy, Iris pallida ssp. illyrica, from the North Dalmatian coast, and Iris pallida ssp. pseudopallida from the South Dalmatian coast.