Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Iridaceae ⟩ Iris foetidissima / stinking iris

Iris foetidissima L.

stinking iris (Iridaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadStrong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Iris foetidissima is found in hedgebanks, woodland edges and sea-cliffs, especially over calcareous substrates, across England, Wales and parts of Scotland and Ireland; it is probably only native in Wales and the southern half of England.

Worth Matravers (VC9: Dorset); 2020-06-09

 stinking iris / Iris foetidissima: _Iris foetidissima_ is found in hedgebanks, woodland edges and sea-cliffs, especially over calcareous substrates, across England, Wales and parts of Scotland and Ireland; it is probably only native in Wales and the southern half of England.

As well as the normal, purple-flowered type, there is Iris foetidissima var. citrina, a variety with pale yellow tepals.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2008-06-05

 stinking iris / Iris foetidissima: As well as the normal, purple-flowered type, there is _Iris foetidissima_ var. _citrina_, a variety with pale yellow tepals.

The fruit of Iris foetidissima is an elongated capsule containing 3 series of bright red seeds.

Sandford-on-Thames (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2021-11-24

 stinking iris / Iris foetidissima: The fruit of _Iris foetidissima_ is an elongated capsule containing 3 series of bright red seeds.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne