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Wood Iris
Dietes iridioides
SA tree number
English: Wood Iris, Wild Iris, Small Wild Iris, Painted Lady
Afrikaans: Wilde-iris, Klein Wittulp
Zulu: Indawo-yehlathi, Isiqiki-sikatokoloshe, Isishuphe Somfula
Historical botanical names: Moraea iridioides
Synonyms: Dietes prolongata, Dietes prolongata var. galpinii, Dietes vegeta
Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the Wood Iris, is a graceful, evergreen perennial that forms clumps of sword-shaped leaves. The delicate, iris-like flowers, usually white with purple or yellow markings only last a single morning, but appear continuously over an extended period. This hardy and adaptable plant is not a true iris, but it's a beautiful look-alike!
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Distinguishing features:
Rhizomatous, evergreen herb with sword-shaped, dark green leaves in a loose fan.
Produces dainty white flowers with yellow central markings and light violet flushed style branches.
Each flower lasts only a single morning, but new flowers open continually during the flowering season.
Flowers are 30-40 mm wide and close by midday, except on overcast days.
Fruit is an oval-shaped capsule that disintegrates to release black seeds.
Can self-pollinate when the flower closes.
Overall appearance:
A clump-forming, evergreen perennial herb with sword-like leaves and tall flower stalks.
Height:
Typically grows to 40-70 cm in height, including the flower stalks.
Width:
Forms clumps that can spread 20-40 cm wide.
Leaves:
The leaves are basal, meaning they grow from the base of the plant.
They are narrow, sword-shaped, 20-50 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide.
They are a bright green colour and have a smooth texture.
Flowers:
The flowers are borne on slender, wiry stalks (scapes) that rise above the leaves.
They are smaller than D. grandiflora, typically 3-5 cm across, and iris-like in appearance.
They are usually white with delicate purple or yellow markings, particularly at the base of the outer tepals.
Each flower has six tepals (petals and sepals that look alike), three larger outer ones and three smaller inner ones.
The flowers are short-lived, typically lasting only until midday, except on overcast days, but the plant produces a succession of blooms over several weeks.
Flowering season:
Spring and summer (typically September to January).
Fruits:
The fruit is a capsule, 1.5-2.5 cm long, that splits open to release the seeds. It is brownish when mature.
Seeds:
The seeds are small, black, and rounded.
Stems:
Flowers are carried on a wiry, arching stem.
Plantlets often develop on the flower stems and root easily when they touch the ground.
Rhizomes:
Rhizomatous, meaning it spreads by underground stems.
Soil type:
Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor sandy soils.
Performs best in well-drained soil rich in organic material.
Prefers slightly acidic soil.
Aspect:
Tolerates both semi-shade and full sun.
Thrives under trees.
Uses:
Primarily grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive flowers. It is suitable for gardens, borders, and naturalistic plantings.
Traditional Medicine:
Infusions from the inner part of the rhizome are taken orally in enemas to treat dysentery.
Rhizomes are used during childbirth and for hypertension.
Ground rhizomes are ingredients in tonics for goats.
Roots are used for first menstruation.
Ecology:
Self-pollinates when the flower closes.
Pollinated by bees and other insects.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely distributed in South Africa, found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and Western Cape provinces.
Not endemic to South Africa; also occurs in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Grows in evergreen forests or clearings in bush.
Terrestrial major system.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Dietes is derived from the Greek "dis" (meaning twice) and "etes" (meaning an associate or relative), referring to the genus's position between Moraea and Iris.
The species name iridioides means "iris-like," referring to its resemblance to plants in the genus Iris.
Historical aspects:
Formerly placed in the genus Moraea, but reclassified because it is rhizomatous (grows from rhizomes, not corms like Moraea).
Interesting facts:
This plant is so widespread and good at self-sowing that it's listed as "Least Concern" on the SANBI Red List – it's doing great!
Its flowers are like a one-day wonder! Each bloom only lasts a single morning, so you have to be quick to catch their beauty.
Some African cultures have fascinating beliefs about this plant, like chewing its rhizome to ward off bad luck after a funeral. Quite a spiritual plant!
Growing tips:
These tough, drought-resistant plants will thrive in semi-shade as well as full sun, often where little else will grow.
Dietes iridioides will tolerate both wind and frost, and seeds itself freely.
Plantlets often develop on the flower stems and root easily when they touch the ground.
Can be grown from seed (sow in spring) or by dividing large clumps (best done in early spring).
Do not cut back the flowering stems until they are finished flowering, as new flowers are borne in succession along the stem.
Benefits from regular mulching with compost or wood chips.
Water twice a month during dry spells for best results.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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