Seasonal Wild Flowers

Stinking Iris

Iris foetidissima

Iridaceae

Gladdon, Roast-beef Plant

Late May to July

It is found in East Anglia, the Southeast, the Southwest,

the South and the southern areas of the Midlands.

It is scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Stinking Iris

It grows in calcareous solis in hedge banks and woods, and

on sea-cliffs.

Stinking Iris is a native, smelly, rhizomatous, tuft-forming,

perennial herb growing up to 80cm.

Flowers are a pale, greyish purple (sometimes yellow) and

up to 7cm.

Leaves are dark green and up to 25mm wide.

The pods open in autumn and winter exposing the bright

orange seeds.

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Stinking Iris in a hedgerow, Dorset

Single flower

Open seed pods

Leaves