Iris unguicularis: Country Or Region Of Origin
Africa and Mediterranean
Plant Profile: Iris unguicularis
Names
Algerian Iris, Algerian Winter Iris, Winter Flowering Iris, Winter Iris
Phonetic Spelling:EYE-ris un-gwih-kew-LAR-iss
Genus:Iris
Species:unguicularis
Family:Iridaceae
The Algerian Iris is a bulbous plant with striking purple flowers, indigenous to northern Africa and the western Mediterranean. Although it thrives in sunny conditions, it truly shines in shaded environments. Its blossoms emerge in late winter, offering a vibrant splash of color to the landscape when it is most needed. For an eye-catching display, consider planting it in groups at the front of borders, along pathways, or near patios, where the enduring flowers can be fully appreciated.
Regarding potential issues, be aware that this plant may be susceptible to grey mold, bacterial soft rot, or viral infections.
Iris unguicularis Feature Summary
Iris unguicularis Image Gallery
Tags
#purple
#fragrant
#bulb
#showy flowers
#full sun tolerant
#fragrant flowers
#purple flowers
#winter interest
#mass planting
#iris family
#long bloom time
#walkway planting
#patio planting
#winter flowers
#winter garden
#iris
#problem for cats
#late winter flowers
#mid-winter flowers
#early winter flowers
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses
Similar Plants
Iris unguicularis Feature Summary
Attributes
Africa and Mediterranean
Perennial
Bulb
Fruit
Seedpods should be completely dry (while attached to the plant) before seeds are taken out.
Flowers
Showy lavendar-purple flowers with yellow banding appear in early winter through early spring. The flowers are on short stems so they are low in the clump of leaves.
Purple/Lavender
Gold/Yellow
Fragrant
Good Cut
Spring
Winter
6 petals/rays
Leaves
Leaves can be up to 12 inches long.
Green
> 6 inches
Stem
Stems that hold the flower up can be as tall as 8 inches.
Green
Poisonous to Humans
Salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes
Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin)
High
Seeds
Leaves
Stems
Sap/Juice
Flowers
Fruits
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Bulb
Arching
Erect
Clumping
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Less than 12 inches
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Butterfly Garden
Winter Garden
Shade Garden
Border
Mass Planting
Accent
Small groups
Specimen
Drought
Deer
Container
Patio
Woodland
Small Space
Slope/Bank
Coastal
Butterflies
Pollinators
Hummingbirds
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Iris unguicularis Image Gallery
Iris unguicularis Attributes
Iris unguicularis: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
drought, deer
Iris unguicularis: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Iris unguicularis: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Iris unguicularis Fruit
Iris unguicularis: Fruit Description
Seedpods should be completely dry (while attached to the plant) before seeds are taken out.
Iris unguicularis Flowers
Iris unguicularis: Flower Description
Showy lavendar-purple flowers with yellow banding appear in early winter through early spring. The flowers are on short stems so they are low in the clump of leaves.
Iris unguicularis: Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Purple/Lavender
Iris unguicularis: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Iris unguicularis: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Iris unguicularis: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Iris unguicularis Leaves
Iris unguicularis: Leaf Description
Leaves can be up to 12 inches long.
Iris unguicularis: Leaf Color
Green
Iris unguicularis: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Iris unguicularis: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Iris unguicularis Stem
Iris unguicularis: Stem Description
Stems that hold the flower up can be as tall as 8 inches.
Iris unguicularis: Stem Color
Green
Iris unguicularis: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Iris unguicularis Poisonous to Humans
Iris unguicularis: Poison Symptoms
Salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes
Iris unguicularis: Poison Toxic Principle
Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin)
Iris unguicularis: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Iris unguicularis: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Iris unguicularis: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Iris unguicularis Whole Plant Traits
Iris unguicularis: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Iris unguicularis: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Iris unguicularis Cultural Conditions
Iris unguicularis: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Iris unguicularis: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Iris unguicularis: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Iris unguicularis: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Iris unguicularis: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Iris unguicularis: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Iris unguicularis Landscape
Iris unguicularis: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Iris unguicularis: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Iris unguicularis: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Iris unguicularis: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Iris unguicularis: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Iris unguicularis: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
