Scientific Name
Iris spp.
Common Name
Iris

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Iridaceae
Plant Description
Perennial herbs from a rhizome or bulb; leaves strap-like, overlapping at base, oriented in one plane; flowers 1-several at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards", variously colored; fruit a capsule.
Origin
North temperate America, Europe, Asia.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; forest or natural area in native woodlands, marshes, and shallow water; landscape in flower gardens as cultivated herbaceous perennial.
Mode
Ingestion, dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
Rhizomes (thickened roots) and rootstocks, fresh or dry.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.
Toxic Principle
Irisin, iridin, or irisine.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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