Family: Iridaceae
Common name: Yellow flag iris, Yellow iris
Category: 1a (NEMBA)
Description
Iris pseudacorus L. is a herbaceous perennial, 1-2 m tall. Leaves are sword-shaped, green to blue green, erect, flattened with a raised midrib, to 1 m long, about 10 per ramet (individual member of clone). Rhizomes pink in colour. Flowers are showy, large, with typical iris structure, yellow with brownish mottled markings upper surfaces. Flowering occurs in spring or early summer. The fruit is a dry capsule 4-7 cm long, with numerous pale brown seeds. This species is similar to some indigenous species. The table below describes some of Iris pseudacorus distinguishing features to Moraea huttonii, an indigenous species.
Plant structures |
Iris pseudacorus |
Moraea huttonii |
| Leaves | Forms ramets with a fanshaped base, upper part arching | A single leaf wrapped around the stem at the base |
| Rootstock | Creeping rhizome of ±30cm long and 4cm width | A corm |
| Seed capsules | Capsules are hanging down | Capsules are erect |
| Flowers | Perianth with fleshy tube between tepals and ovary | Tepals and ovary are fused |
Distribution
Yellow flag iris is native to North Africa, Europe and Asia. It is now naturalised in Australia, South America and North America. This species is invasive in many temperate parts of the world.
How it spreads
Iris pseudacorus spreads rapidly through both rhizome and water-dispersed seed. It fills a similar niche to that of Typha (species) and often grows with it, though usually in shallower water. While it is primarily an aquatic plant, the rhizomes can survive prolonged dry conditions and grow again in the rainy season.
History in South Africa
Yellow-flag iris was introduced in South Africa as an ornamental plant. It has been recorded in few localities in the country according to SAPIA database; in the Vaal River between Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark in 2004, in Limpopo it has been recorded at Klein Kariba and in 2010 it was recorded in Aquestria (Gauteng). In 2011 more localities were discovered in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria area) and in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban and Howick area).
Environmental and economic impact
Yellow flag iris invades wetland and riparian communities. Yellow-flag iris is a fast-growing and fast-spreading weed that creates thickets in water just like cattail (dense stands). Iris pseudacorus is poisonous if ingested and may cause irritation to the skin when handled.
How to eradicate
There are no herbicides registered for this plant in South Africa. It can be physically controlled by hand removal, but caution should be used if pulling out this plant because it can cause skin irritation; remove seed pods to help control population expansion; dig up small infestations; remove entire rhizome; burn where conditions allow. Although a number of insects and pathogens are known to attack yellow flag iris, no biological control agents are presently known.
What can you do to help?
Report sightings of these plants to the Invasive Species Programme at SANBI. We will need to know its locality (the exact locality, supply any landmarks of GPS information if possible).
Contact details
Ruqaya Adams or Alex Marsh
Email address: invasivespecies@sanbi.org.za
Tel: +27 (0)21 799 8403/4
Photos
Thulisile Jaca
References
- Cody, W.J. 1961. Iris pseudacorus L. escaped from cultivation in Canada. Canadian Field Nat., 75: 139-142. available on line at: http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/irispseu.html
- Falinska, K. 1986. Demography of Iris pseudacorus L. populations in abandoned meadows. Ekol. Polska 34(4):583-613. available on line at: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/iripse2.html
- Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J. C. 2008. The Iris Family: natural history and classification. Timber Press, Portland.
- Invasive plants council of BC avail. On line at: http:// www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca/invasive-plants/yellow-flag-iris
- South African Plant Invaders Atlas. 2010. SAPIA News no. 17. ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute.
- South African Plant Invaders Atlas. 2009. SAPIA News no. 10. ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute.
- Sutherland W.J. 1990. Iris pseudacorus L. Journal of Ecology, Vol. 78, No. 3.