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Yellow Iris
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Yellow Iris

Iris pseudacorus

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameYellow Iris
DescriptionStriking wetland perennial native to Europe with bright golden-yellow flowers and tall sword-shaped leaves, thriving in wet soils and shallow water along pond edges and stream banks. Despite ornamental appeal in water gardens, highly invasive in North America and other regions outside native range, forming dense stands that displace native vegetation and reduce biodiversity. Spreads aggressively through both prolific seed production (seeds float for long-distance dispersal) and extensive rhizome networks, making control extremely challenging once established in wetlands.
FamilyIridaceae
GenusIris
TribeIrideae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ☿ P3+3 A3 G(3)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry), bisexual, 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (3 falls + 3 standards, petaloid), 3 stamens, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary, petaloid style branches typical of Iridaceae

Features
  • Name 'Iris' from Greek goddess of rainbow. 'Pseudacorus' means false Acorus (sweet flag). Also called Yellow Flag - 'flag' from Middle English for reed or rush. Native to Europe, Western Asia, North Africa. Listed as invasive in many regions outside native range
  • Bright golden-yellow flowers 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) across with 3 large drooping sepals (falls) and 3 smaller upright petals (standards). Falls have brown or purple veining. Blooms May-July. Each stem produces 4-12 flowers. Typical iris structure with 3-part symmetry
  • Rhizomatous perennial with thick pink tuberous rhizomes. Tall erect sword-shaped leaves 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) long, grey-green, rigid. Leaves persist through winter. Forms dense clumps. Stems sometimes branched. Semi-aquatic - grows in water up to 10 inches (25 cm) deep
  • Grows 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) tall. Lifespan of many years as perennial. Spreads aggressively via rhizomes and seeds. Seeds buoyant, float for months aiding dispersal. Can form extensive seed banks. Propagated by division or seeds
  • Native to Europe, Western Asia (Turkey, Caucasus), North Africa. Now invasive in North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Thrives in wetlands, marshes, pond edges, stream banks, ditches, floodplains. Tolerates brackish and salt marshes
  • Requires full sun to partial shade. Thrives in wet soils or shallow water (up to 10 inches/25 cm deep). Tolerates wide range of soil types and pH. Extremely adaptable - survives drought, flooding, cold, heat, salinity, low nutrients. Hardy zones 3-9
  • Major invasive species forming dense monocultures that displace native wetland plants, reduce biodiversity, alter habitats, clog waterways, trap sediment. All parts toxic (glycosides) - causes skin irritation, gastric distress if ingested by livestock. Decreases wildlife food sources
  • Control difficult due to extensive rhizomes and prolific seeds. Manual removal must extract all rhizome fragments. Herbicides (glyphosate, imazapyr) effective but require repeated applications. Mowing ineffective. Prevention best - never plant near natural wetlands. Banned in some regions

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificIris pseudacorus
English (Alternate)Iris pseudacorus, Yellow Flag, Water Flag
Hindiपीला परitārika (peela paritarika), यलो आइरिस (yellow iris)
Tamilமஞ்சள் கொடிப்பாசி (Manjal Kodi Paasi), மஞ்சள் நந்தியாவட்டம் (Manjal Nandhiyavattam)
Teluguపసుపు ఐరిస్ (pasupu iris)
Malayalamമഞ്ഞ ഐറിസ് (manja aayiris)
Kannadaಹಳದಿ ಐರಿಸ್‍ಕಾಳು (Haladi Iriskalu), ಹಳದಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ (Haladi Mallige)
Sanskritबहुतलवशा (bahutalavashA), kAnkga (काङ्गा), gAninI (गानिनि)
Bengaliপীত পদ্ম (Peet Padmo), হলুদ আইরিশ (Holud Irish), ইয়েলো ওয়াকিং আইরিশ (Yello Walking Irish)
Frenchfleur-de-lis
RussianЖёлтый ирис (Zhyolty iris), Жёлтый (Zhyolty)
Spanishlirio amarillo
GermanGelbe Schwertlilie

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.