Iris foetidissima - Stinking Iris

Iris foetidissima, also known as the stinking iris, is one of the most inconspicuous species of iris, lurking in the undergrowth or in thickets, offering small pale blue-violet flowers in spring that quickly turn brown. However, its autumn fruits are spectacular when they open to reveal round berries like pearls, bright red-orange, remaining in the capsules until mid-winter. It is a hardy and wild plant, with superb evergreen foliage all year round, which is very useful in dry shade or waterlogged areas.

Iris foetidissima belongs to the Iridaceae family. It originates from southern Western Europe and can be found in temperate zones throughout our continent, from light woodlands to thickets and hedges, as well as wet meadows and limestone meadows. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, forming a spreading evergreen clump, reaching a height of 60 cm (24in) when flowering, with a spread of 30 cm (12in). Flowering occurs from April to June, depending on the climate, and is only produced by clumps with sufficient shade. The flowers are borne on a stem with bracts resembling leaves. They consist of 6 spatulate floral parts, thin at the base, and are solitary or grouped in a terminal position at the end of long slender stems. The sepals are veined in light violet-blue on a lighter background. The petals are shorter, blue-brown in colour. The flowers are followed by the formation of fruits that open in autumn, revealing round, richly coloured berries in tight clusters, which are highly decorative. The leaves are linear, wide, of a beautiful deep green colour, and aromatic when crushed (hence the name of the species).  The basal leaves are sword-shaped.

The stinking iris is a shade plant that does not flower without it. It is as useful in dry and humid woodlands as it is around water points, where it brightens up the winter season. In dry woodlands, it can be associated with butcher's broom, large periwinkle, dead nettles, bergenia, epimediums, and cranesbills. Along water points, it can be found with ferns, hostas, and Geranium nodosum. The stinking iris is sometimes used in dried bouquets.

The history of Iris foetidissima intersects with that of humans. This species has been present in gardens for a long time and was already part of the medicine of the Middle Ages. It is often mentioned in remedies for human ailments.