The Old Forge

The iris in my small pond is currently in seed. It is rather unflatteringly known as stinking iris (Iris foetidissima), as brushing against its leaves is said to provoke a smell that some find unpleasant, though I can't say I have experienced this, and I enjoy both its yellow ochre flowers and zingy scarlet berries.

Iris foetidissima (Stinking Iris, Gladdon, Gladwin Iris, Roast-beef Plant, Stinking Gladwin), is a species of Iris found in open woodland, hedgebanks and sea-cliffs.

Its natural range is Western Europe, including England south of Durham and also Ireland, and from France south and east to N. Africa, Italy and Greece.

It is one of two iris species native to Britain, the other being the Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus). Its flowers are usually of a dull, leaden-blue colour, or dull buff-yellow tinged with blue; the capsules, which remain attached to the plant throughout the winter, are 5-8 cm long; and the seeds scarlet.

It is known as "stinking" because some people find the smell of its leaves unpleasant when crushed or bruised, an odour that has been described as "beefy".

This plant is cultivated in gardens in the temperate zones. Both the species and its cultivar 'Variegata' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. - Wikipedia

L.
21.11.2013

Blip #1097
Consecutive Blip #008
Day #1325

Gardens series

Lozarhythm Of The Day:
Parquet Courts - You've Got Me Wondering Now (2013)

One year ago: Leaves