Iris foetidissima - Stinking Gladwin

Family:	Iridaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	1.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Western Europe, including Britain, from France south and east to N. Africa, Italy and Greece.

Iris foetidissima (Stinking Gladwin) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Stinking Gladwin will flower in November to January. the seeds ripen from April to August
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Stinking Gladwin will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Stinking Gladwin prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Stinking Gladwin can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Woods and shady places, usually on calcareous soils[4, 17, 28]. It is often also found on sea cliffs[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

An easily grown and very tolerant plant, it succeeds in most positions in any good soil in sun or partial shade[79, 233]. Succeeds in dense shade. Prefers a moist soil[4] but succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant[190]. Thrives in a bog garden[188]. Requires a well-drained soil containing some lime[1] and succeeds on pure chalk[233]. Established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect and can survive dense weed competition[K]. The evergreen leaves are not very hardy, being killed back by cold winds around -15°c[187], though the rootstock is much hardier and the plant soon recovers in spring. A good plant for woodland edges[24]. Plants often self-sow[208, K]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[190]. The crushed leaves emit a strong odour which, at a distance, resembles hot roast beef[4]. On closer acquaintance the scent becomes disagreeable[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Stinking gladwin has a long history of medicinal use, though it can be rather strong in its action and so is little used nowadays[244]. The root is anodyne, antispasmodic and cathartic[4, 61]. A decoction of the roots acts as a strong purge, it has also been used as an emmenagogue and for cleaning eruptions[4]. The powdered or infused dried root is beneficial in the treatment of fainting, nervous complaints and to relieve pains and cramps[4, 244]. The plant has been used as a cure for ringworm[240].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Cathartic - A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame, it may take 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first year. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division, best done in July after flowering. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Scented parts of the plants

Leaves : Crushed

Known Hazards

The roots of this plant are toxic to grazing mammals[100]. Plants can cause skin irritations and allergies in some people[238].

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant, succeeding in dense shade and in dry soils[197]. Rather slow to spread though, needing weeding for the first year or two[197]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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