yellow iris

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pale yellow iris
• yellow flag
• yellow iris
• yellow water iris
• Flag Iris
• common yellow iris
• pale-yellow iris
• water flag
• yellow flag iris

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Limniris pseudacorus
• Xyridion pseudacorus
• Xyridion acoroideum
• Iris pseudacorus var. acoriformis
• Iris pseudacorus var. parviflorum
• Iris pseudacorus f. submersa
• Iris pseudacorus var. citrina
• Iris pseudacorus var. ochroleuca
• Iris acoroides
• Iris pseudacorus f. albescens
• Iris pseudacorus var. parviflora
• Iris palustris var. pallida
• Iris paludosa
• Iris pseudacorus var. acoroides
• Iris pseudacorus var. bastardii
• Acorus adulterinus
• Iris pseudacorus var. acoriformis
• Iris lutea
• Iris pseudacorus f. nyaradyana
• Iris pseudacorus f. longiacuminata
• Iris pseudacorus subsp. bastardii
• Iris pseudacorus subvar. aurantiaca
• Iris pallidior
• Iris pseudacorus var. longifolia
• Iris pseudacorus subsp. acoriformis
• Iris sativa
• Limnirion pseudacorus
• Moraea candolleana
• Iris bastardii
• Iris flava
• Iris curtopetala
• Iris acoriformis
• Xiphion pseudacorus
• Xiphion acoroides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Asparagales and the family Iridaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Iris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Iris pseudacorus, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is present in the Faroe Islands, which are part of the North Atlantic region. Its range also extends to the British Isles, including Great Britain. Finally, the plant is well-established within the natural habitats of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Iris pseudacorus is characterized by its preference for low-lying, saturated environments, thriving primarily in habitats such as lakes, rivers, shores, and swamps. It occupies a specific altitudinal niche, with an elevational range spanning from 0 to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. In terms of its symbiotic relationships, this species does not exhibit mycorrhizal associations, as indicated by its lack of mycorrhiza.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

lakes, rivers, shores, swamps

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Iris pseudacorus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it relies on underground structures to survive unfavorable conditions, and its specific life form is classified as a geophyte, utilizing specialized storage organs located beneath the soil surface. This species maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage throughout much of its cycle, which facilitates continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Iris pseudacorus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies such as a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in its ecological habit, avoiding epiphytic or aquatic lifestyles. In terms of stature, it displays significant variation in size, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 1.6 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.625 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.625 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Iris pseudacorus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, typical of many temperate wetland species, and it functions as a non-carnivorous organism that does not possess the ability to fix nitrogen. Its vegetative structure is defined by elongated, ensiform leaves that exhibit significant morphological variation, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 70 cm to a maximum of 100 cm. These leaves are notably narrow, maintaining a mean width of 0.3 cm, though individual specimens can vary between a minimum width of 2 cm and a maximum width of 3 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 208.7375 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 160.52 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its adaptation to its specific environmental niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

100 cm

Leaf length min:

70 cm

Leaf size mean:

208.7375 cm²

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.3 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

160.52 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Iris pseudacorus is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in July, during which the plant undergoes biotic pollination. Specifically, the pollination syndrome is characterized by insect activity, with bees serving as key pollinators. Interestingly, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a dehiscent fruit categorized as a capsule. This fruit has an average length of 5 cm and an average width of 2 cm. Within these capsules, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent length of 7 mm (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 7 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.04789225 g, with individual seed masses fluctuating between a minimum of 0.03797 g and a maximum of 0.056 g. Once mature, the seeds are dispersed via a hydrochorous syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium for transport to new habitats.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length mean:

5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

7 mm

Seed mass max:

0.056 g

Seed mass mean:

0.04789225 g

Seed mass min:

0.03797 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Iris pseudacorus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, leaf.

Rhizome

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Fitoterapia

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Iris pseudacorus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxy isoflavone, Gallocatechin, Liquiritigenin, SYRINGIC ACID, Tannin.

5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxy isoflavone

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Gallocatechin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Liquiritigenin

1. Fitoterapia

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Fitoterapia

Tannin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Activities

Iris pseudacorus has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Antimicrobial

1. Fitoterapia

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Conditions

Iris pseudacorus has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.

Enterococcus faecalis

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Preparations

Iris pseudacorus has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanol extracts from leaves and rhizomes, Methanolic extracts.

Methanol extracts from leaves and rhizomes

1. Fitoterapia

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis