Blue Flag – Iris versicolor

Blue Flag iris is a very easy-to-grow flower for permanent moist to boggy soil, but I found it also grows in regular garden beds with irrigation. Pretty blue-violet flowers look great mass-planted at pond edges. 

Blue flag was traditionally used by the North American Indians.  Today, herbalists use blue flag iris to detoxify the body, laxative or emetic that also acts strongly on the liver and promotes the excretion of excess body fluids. It is also a stimulant for the circulatory and lymphatic system. Poultices of blue flag iris poultices are used for rheumatic joints.

The root is dried and prepared before use.

This information is for educational purposes only – some members of this genus are toxic if ingested!