Iris sibirica

Species of plant

Iris sibirica, commonly known as Siberian iris or Siberian flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Europe (including France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslavia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine and northern Turkey) and Central Asia (including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Siberia). It has long green grass like leaves, tall stem, 2–5 violet blue, to blue, and occasionally white flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Generally the 28 chromosome hybrids are easier to grow than the Sino Siberians. The iris will tolerate temperatures down to . ), in Europe. It is hardy in the UK.<! also

Aphid Aphis newtoni and can be found on the plant, and Mononychus punctumalbum (Iris Weevil) also can attack the plant's seeds.

They are best propagated by division. Seedlings are also susceptible to transplant shock, this can be lessened if a small plastic pot is placed over the newly planted plant. This protects the plant for the next 3–5 days.

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction. The root has also been used to create an insecticide and an expectorant.

Johan Peter Falk noted that the Tara Tartars of Russia (West Siberia) coloured cloth yellow with Iris sibirica flowers and the Votyaks, Mordvins and Kalmyks derived red dye from Galium species. It has also been used to create a drug to be used as an emetic and laxative. An old traditional usage before the wedding night, Polish girls eat the cooked fruit (seeds) of Iris sibirica to help improve contraception.

An illustration of Iris sibirica has been used as a Postage stamp in Poland.