Blue flag iris
General poisoning notes:
Blue flag (Iris versicolor) is a native herb found in eastern and central Canada. This plant has been mentioned as causing poisoning in humans and animals, but case reports have not been found. The plant juice can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Other iris species have also been implicated in poisoning of animals and in causing dermatitis in humans (see additional information under Iris pseudacorus). Because of the potential for poisoning, care should be taken to prevent access by livestock to blue flag, which grows in moist soils near rivers, lakes, and marshes (Fyles 1920, Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Iris versicolor L.
Vernacular name(s): blue flag iris
Scientific family name: Iridaceae
Vernacular family name: iris
Iris versicolor L.
Geographic Information
British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest,Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec,Saskatchewan
Toxic parts:
rhizome
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
A glycoside, iridin (or irisin), has been implicated as the toxic compound in iris species, although this has not been confirmed (Fyles 1920, Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Iridin
Iridin
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Cattle
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting.
