Family: Iridaceae
Dietes iridioides (African iris, fortnight lily) is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial native to Southern Africa. It is occasionally grown in coastal or mediterranean gardens, but is not a wildly popular ornamental plant. It is also used as an accent plant in landscaping. It is reported to be naturalized in New Zealand, Australia, and Oʻahu. Parts of African Iris are poisonous if ingested by humans. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. This plant is also toxic to cats and dogs. Dietes iridioides is hardy, grows back easily, self-fertile and reproduces by seeds and rhizome, making it a difficult plant to manage once it has become naturalized.
High Risk Traits:
- Able to grow in tropical and subtropical climates
- Naturalized on Oahu, Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands), Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere
- Regarded as a persistent garden and landscaping weed, and a potential environmental weed in Australia
- Other Dietes species are weedy and invasive
- May be unpalatable to deer and other browsing animals
- Roots and other plant parts reported to be toxic
- Shade tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes
- Self-fertile
- Reaches maturity in 2-3 years
- Seed dispersed by wind, water, humans, contaminated soil, and garden refuse dumping
- Seeds may persist for one to four years before germination
- Able to resprout after cutting and fire
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- May be fire-resistant and could potentially reduce fire risk in fire prone areas
