IRIDACEAE

(Iris family)

• Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: •
• Adverse effects: [Summary yet to be added] •
• Veterinary aspects: •

Members of this moderately large family of 800 species in 60 genera are found in tropical and temperate regions. The principal centres of distribution are southern Africa and tropical America.

Aristea abyssinica Pax

[syns Aristea alata subsp. abyssinica (Pax) Weim., Aristea cognata N.E.Br. ex Weim., Aristea johnstoniana Rendle, Aristea tayloriana Rendle]

Blue-Eyed Grass, Miniature Iris

According to Hulme (1954), an infusion made from the leaves of Aristea cognata is used hot in the traditional medicine of Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal] as a fomentation for sprains.

Crocus sativus L.

[syns Crocus autumnalis Sm., Crocus officinalis (L.) Honck.]

Autumn-Flowering Crocus, Italian Crocus, Saffron Crocus, Crocus Cultivé, Safran Cultivé, Safran d'Europe, Echter Safran

Pammel (1911), who cited Bernhard-Smith (1905), listed Crocus sativus as an irritant poison. As also suggested by Schmidt et al. (2007), it is likely that these authors confused Crocus sativus with Colchicum autumnale L. (fam. Colchicaceae), the meadow saffron, which is also known as autumn crocus.

The vivid red stigmas from the flowers provide the culinary spice known as saffron, which is used as a seasoning and colouring agent. It was formerly included in US, British, and other Pharmacopoeias as a colouring agent (Todd 1967) but also has a history of medicinal use by medieval and earlier physicians (Schmidt et al. 2007), which has prompted a good deal of research into the biological activities and potential clinical applications of crocus and its constituents (see Ulbricht et al. 2011, Abd Razak et al. 2017).

The cultivation of Crocus sativus for saffron production and the harvesting of the stigmas are both highly labour-intensive activities. A study of occupational allergy in 50 saffron workers in Spain was carried out by Feo et al. (1997). Three were found to be sensitized to saffron pollen and stamen proteins. One patient with asthma showed a positive bronchial provocation test; and two patients with rhinoconjunctivitis showed positive conjunctival provocation tests. In all three patients, symptoms developed during excision of stigmas from the saffron flowers, a process which allows the inhalation of pollen and stamen particles. In a wider group of 237 allergic patients, 10 produced positive cutaneous test reactions to saffron. A significant degree of cross-reactivity was demonstrated between saffron and Lolium perenne L. (fam. Graminae), Salsola kali L. (fam. Amaranthaceae), or Olea europaea L. (fam. Oleaceae).

The pollen of Crocus sativus as an aeroallergen is an important cause of pollinosis in areas where the saffron crocus is cultivated. Six human IgE binding proteins with apparent molecular weight ranging from 13.5 to 85 kDa have been identified in saffron pollen extract including Cro s 1, Cro s 2 (a profilin), and Cro s 3 (a lipid transfer protein). A high degree of similarity to other pollen allergens and plant profilins has been demonstrated, and in particular a very high homology of Cro s 1 with Che a 1, the major allergen of lamb's-quarter, Chenopodium album L., fam. Amaranthaceae (Varasteh et al. 2009, Gómez-Gómez et al. 2010, Varasteh et al. 2012, Fiocchi et al. 2014).

In a study of 110 saffron workers in India, 83 were found to have chronic hand eczema, 11 had eczema on the hands and forearms, and 6 had eczema on the face, 4 of whom also had hand eczema (Hassan et al. 2015). Patch testing was carried out with an Indian standard series, a plant series, and with acetone extracts prepared from saffron corms and saffron flower parts (petal, pistil, stamen). Of 52 positive reactions, 18 were observed to different parts of the saffron crocus, reactions to the corm being the most common (9 reactions), followed by stigma (6 reactions), anther (2 reactions), and sepals/petals (1 reaction). Villas Martínez et al. (2007) had earlier described a single case of occupational airborne contact dermatitis from saffron crocus bulbs [sic; = corms] in a 72-year-old woman who had been referred for evaluation of eczematous and erythematous lesions on the dorsa of the hands, forearm, neck, face (eyelids and cheeks), and inframammary region for over 17 years, associated with cleaning saffron corms before replanting them. A patch test with "saffron bulbs" [no further detail provided] showed strongly positive reactions on days 2 & 4, with no reactions seen in 10 controls.

Pereira (1842) and Remington et al. (1918) noted that in domestic practice, saffron tea has occasionally been used in exanthematous diseases to promote the eruption. A 21-year-old atopic farmer with mild atopic dermatitis since the age of 10 years; oral allergy syndrome to apple, nuts, and spinach; and perennial allergic asthma for 1 year was referred for allergologic investigations because he developed a severe anaphylactic reaction with violent abdominal cramps, laryngeal edema, and generalized urticaria a few minutes after a meal of saffron rice and mushrooms. Scratch tests performed with the ingredients of the risotto meal were strongly positive only for saffron (Wüthrich et al. 1997).

Crocin application (0.1% & 0.3% in 70% ethanol) ameliorated Dermatophagoides farinae crude extract-induced dermatitis symptoms in NC/Nga mice (a model for atopic dermatoitis in humans) as measured by the dermatitis severity score, ear thickness, and serum immunoglobulin E levels (Sung & Kim 2018).

Saffron has undergone extensive phytochemical investigation (see Mykhailenko et al. 2019). Characteristic components of saffron are α-crocin together with various carotenoids, which are responsible for the golden yellow-orange colour; picrocrocin (a monoterpene glucoside precursor of safranal), which is responsible for the bitter taste; and safranal (a monoterpene), which is the major aromatic component (Srivastava et al. 2010).

Both safranal and crocin have been shown to have free radical scavenging activity in the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl [DPPH] assay (Assimopoulou et al. 2005); radical-scavenging antioxidant activity is a chemical characteristic that is believed to confer contact allergenic potential (see Schmidt 2007). And in the context of risk assessment of fragrances used in cosmetic products, safranal has been categorised as a skin sensitiser with moderate potency on the basis of in vivo mouse local lymph node assay data, the in vitro induction of antioxidant response element dependent gene assays, and in other systems (Roberts et al. 2007, Natsch & Emter 2008, Schultz et al. 2009, Avonto et al. 2015). However, results from patch testing with these substances in patients presenting with dermatitis attributable to saffron have yet to be reported.

An aqueous ethanol extract of the pollen [? pollen + anthers + stamens; an inexpensive by-product in the production of saffron stigmas], formulated as a cream, has been shown to accelerate the rate of wound healing and shorten the time to healing of second-degree burn wounds in rats when compared with 1% silver sulfadiazine cream and with controls (Khorasani et al. 2008).

Gladiolus Tourn. ex L.

Gladiolus

Hulme (1954) noted that an infusion from corms of an unidentified mauve-flowered gladiolus is used in the traditional medicine of Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal] to bathe navels of newly born infants when inflamed.

Gladiolus communis L.

[syn. Gladiolus reuteri Boiss.]

Cornflag, Eastern Gladiolus, Gewöhnliche Siegwurz, Östliche Siegwurz

Pammel (1911), citing Cornevin (1887), listed this species as an irritant poison, but was possibly referring to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects.

Gladiolus italicus Mill.

[syns Gladiolus guepinii K.Koch, Gladiolus ludovicae Jan ex Bertol., Gladiolus segetum Ker Gawl.]

Common Sword Lily, Cornfield Gladiolus, Field Gladiolus, Italian Gladiolus, Glaïeul d'Italie, Glaïeul des Moissons, Italienische Gladiole, Saat Siegwurz

Pammel (1911), citing Cornevin (1887), listed Gladiolus segetum as an irritant poison, but was possibly referring to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects.

Iris Tourn. ex L.

Shelmire (1940) identified "iris" as a minor sensitizer. Hjorth (1961) observed a patient with hand eczema associated with the topical use of balsam of Peru for chilblains on the fingers, in whom a patch test with a petal of a blue iris gave a positive reaction, but negative with the green leaf. Patch tests to the petal and green leaf of a yellow iris were both negative. The patient also gave a positive patch test reaction to a petal from a red rose (Rosa L., fam. Rosaceae).

Gerarde (1636) noted that the roots of these plants, when pounded, provoke sneezing.

Iris ensata Thunb.

[syns Iris graminea Thunb., Iris kaempferi Siebold ex Lem., Limniris ensata Rodion.]

Beaked Iris, Japanese Iris, Japanese Water Iris

Iris Ensata Extract [INCI; of uncertain composition (see Schmidt 2017)] is a recognised cosmetic product ingredient purported to have skin conditioning properties (Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products 2019, CosIng 2023/4).

Iris florentina L.

[syns Iris albicans Lange, Iris × germanica subsp. albicans O.Bolòs & Vigo, Iris officinalis Salisb.]

Fleur de Lys, Florentine Orris, Orris, Sweet Flower-de-Luce, White Flag, Violenwurzel

Bernhard-Smith (1923) identified Iris florentina (with no botanical authority) as the Florentine iris or orris root plant, listing it as being an irritant poison. Pammel (1911), citing the first edition of Berhard-Smith's text and also Cornevin (1893) and Lyons (1907) as the sources of his information, listed Iris florentina Sair. [sic; see Iris germanica L. below] as being an irritant poison, seemingly mis-identifying the botanical authority.

The dried rhizome of this and other Iris species provides Rhizoma Iridis, otherwise known as Radix Iridis Florentinae or as orris root (Lyons 1907), which smells of violets (Viola, fam. Violaceae) and which yields essence of violets used in perfumery.

Application of Iris florentina to healthy skin has been reported to produce redness, slight burning, eczematoid and urticarial eruptions (Piffard 1881).

The root was formerly inserted into wounds as "issue peas", and produced eczematoid and urticarial eruptions (White 1887). "Violet water" produced dermatitis on the chest of a girl; the solution has a strong odour of orris root which was the usual substitute for the genuine perfume of violets in such preparations (White 1889). Ramirez & Eller (1930) reported three cases of dermatitis from orris root. Glossitis and gingivitis resulted from a dentifrice which contained orris root (Winter 1948). Preparations of orris root have given rise to a pustular conjunctivitis complicated by recurrent corneal ulcers (Duke-Elder 1965, Duke-Elder & MacFaul 1972b). Orris root in adhesive plasters has also caused dermatitis (DeWolf 1931).

Orris root was said to be allergenic for atopic dermatitis (Coca et al. 1931), and to produce vasomotor rhinitis (King 1926), coryza, asthma, and skin eruptions (Greenberg & Lester 1954, Klarmann 1958).

Oil of orris root is derived from orris root. Concrete of orris root was said to be a common allergen (Greenberg & Lester 1954). Orris root in raw form, which formerly accounted for many allergic reactions, has been replaced by a refined orris root oil which is considered to be non-reactive (Burks 1962).

The orris is the source of a number of recognised cosmetic product ingredients purported variously to have humectant, emollient, skin conditioning, and fragrant properties (Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products 2019, CosIng 2023/4):

The botanical nomenclatural confusion that pervades the wider literature [see Iris × germanica below] is also evident in the CosIng Ingredients-Fragrance Inventory (CosIng 2023/4): Iris Florentina Root and Iris Florentina Root Extract are listed as being obtained from Iris florentina L. whilst Iris Florentina Root Water is listed as being obtained from Iris × germanica, all three of which having been assigned the same CAS RN.

^a INCI is a registered trademark of the Personal Care Products Council; CAS Registry Number is a registered trademark of the American Chemical Society.

Iris foetidissima L.

[syns Chamaeiris foetidissima Medik., Iris foetida Thunb., Xiphion foetidissimum Parl.]

Gladdon, Stinking Gladwin, Stinking Iris

This species has been described as an irritant poison (Cornevin 1887, Pammel 1911, Bernhard-Smith 1923). Although these records seemingly refer to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects, many of the other irritant poisons listed by these authors are well-known skin irritants.

Gerarde (1636) noted that the root of the stinking gladdon "is of great force against wounds and fractures of the head; for it draweth out all thornes, stubs, prickes, and arrow-heads, without griefe."

Iris × germanica L. (pro sp.)

[syns Iris florentina hort., Iris × germanica var. florentina Dykes, Iris × mesopotamica Dykes, Iris × neglecta Hornem., Iris × pallida Ten., Iris × sambucina L., etc.]

Bearded Iris, Common Iris, Flag Iris, Flag Lily, Fleur de Lys, German Flag Iris, Orris

Originally recognised as a distinct species by Linnaeus, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families and other authorities now regard this taxon as being of hybrid origin, its parentage being identified as Iris pallida Lam. × Iris variegata L. However, the bearded irises comprise more than just a hybrid swarm originating from the two presumed progenitor species. Complex intercrossing between cultivars and/or eight or more related species is increasing the number of named bearded iris cultivars in the horticultural trade year after year (Guo et al. 2006, Li et al. 2020). The National Gardening Association, in February 2021, included 67,943 irises (i.e. species and cultivars) in its Plants Database. Whilst the parentage of cultivars created for the horticutural trade by plant breeders has in recent times been documented, parentage of older varieties / cultivars is often obscure. Accordingly, plant breeders generally omit the species name germanica when naming new bearded iris cultivars, using a cultivar name in place of the specific epithet.

Nomenclatural confusion pervades the bearded iris literature. For example, the white-flowered bearded iris originally named Iris germanica L. var. florentina Dykes has been confused with other white-flowered irises including Iris alba Savi and Iris florentina L. (syn. Iris albicans Lange) (Martini & Viciani 2018).

Aplin (1976), citing Everist (1974), referred to reports indicating that Iris germanica is acrid and irritant and capable of causing gastro-enteritis. These authors may have obtained their information from Pammel (1911) who in turn cited Cornevin (1893). Cornevin drew particular attention to the acrid, purgative, emetic, and poisonous properties of "Iris pseudo-acorus," adding that Iris germanica shared these properties, but to a lesser extent. No mention was made of skin irritant effects.

Bernhard-Smith (1923) listed Iris neglecta (with no botanical authority) as an irritant poison, identifying it also as the German or broad-leaved flag iris. Pammel (1911) listed Iris neglecta Parl. as an irritant poison, citing the first edition (1905) of Berhard-Smith's text as the source of this information. Iris neglecta Parl. is now recognised as a synonym of Iris lutescens Lam. subsp. lutescens, the Crimean iris. It would appear that Pammel (1911) mis-identified the botanical authority.

The German flag iris is the source of a number of recognised cosmetic product ingredients purported variously to have perfuming and skin conditioning properties (Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products 2019, CosIng 2023/4):

The botanical nomenclatural confusion that pervades the wider literature is also evident in the CosIng Ingredients-Fragrance Inventory (CosIng 2023/4): Iris Germanica Florentina Root Extract and Iris Germanica Florentina Root Oil are listed as being obtained from "the German Flag, Iris germanica L. florentina", but have been assigned CAS RN numbers that would imply that their botanical source is Iris florentina L. [see above].

^a INCI is a registered trademark of the Personal Care Products Council; CAS Registry Number is a registered trademark of the American Chemical Society.

Iris pallida Lam.

[syn. Iris × germanica subsp. pallida O.Bolòs & Vigo]

Dalmatian Iris, Fragrant-Root Iris, Orris, Pale Flag, Sweet Iris, Bleiche Schwertlilie

Iris Pallida Root Extract, Iris Pallida Root Oil, and Iris Pallida Leaf Cell Extract [INCI; CAS RN 90045-90-2; of uncertain composition (see Schmidt 2017)]^a are recognised cosmetic product ingredients variously purported to have perfuming, tonic, antioxidant, and skin protecting properties (Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products 2019, CosIng 2023/4).

^a INCI is a registered trademark of the Personal Care Products Council; CAS Registry Number is a registered trademark of the American Chemical Society.

Iris prismatica Pursh ex Ker Gawl.

[syn. Iris carolina Radius]

Poison Flag, Slender Blue Flag, Slender Blue Iris

Pammel (1911), citing Lyons (1907), included this species in a list of irritant poisons, but was possibly referring to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects.

Iris pseudacorus L.

[syns Iris bastardii Boreau, Limniris pseudacorus Fuss, Moraea candolleana Spreng., etc.]

False Sweet Flag, Flag Iris, Sword Flag, Yellow Flag, Iris Jaune, Sumpf-Schwertlilie

This species has been described as an irritant poison (Cornevin 1887, Pammel 1911, Bernhard-Smith 1923). Although these records seemingly refer to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects, many of the other irritant poisons listed by these authors are well-known skin irritants.

The seeds [incorrectly identified as tiger lily seeds] of this plant, made into a bracelet, caused dermatitis of the wrist, which later spread to the arms and face. Patch tests to the seed and leaf produced positive reactions. Control tests with the seeds were negative (Calnan 1970b).

Iris reticulata M.Bieb.

[syns Iridodictyum reticulatum Rodion., Xiphion reticulatum Klatt]

Dwarf Iris, Early Bulbous Iris, Netted Iris, Reticulated Iris, Winter Iris

This species has been described as an irritant poison (Pammel 1911, Bernhard-Smith 1923). Although these records seemingly refer to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects, many of the other irritant poisons listed by these authors are well-known skin irritants.

Iris sibirica L.

[syns Iris acuta Willd., Iris flexuosa Murray, Iris pratensis Lam.]

Siberian Iris, Sibirische Schwertlilie

Pammel (1911), citing Cornevin (1887), included this species in a list of irritant poisons, but was possibly referring to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects.

Iris Sibirica Root Extract [INCI; of uncertain composition (see Schmidt 2017)] is a recognised cosmetic product ingredient purported to have hair conditioning, skin conditioning, and humectant properties (Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products 2019, CosIng 2023/4).

Iris variegata L.

[syns Iris flavescens Redouté, Iris reginae Horvat & M.D.Horvat]

Hungarian Iris, Bunte Schwertlilie

Pammel (1911), citing an earlier author, included this species in a list of irritant poisons, but was possibly referring to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects.

Iris versicolor L.

[syns Iris caurina Herb. ex Hook., Xiphion versicolor Alef.]

Blue Flag, Flag Lily, Harlequin Blue Flag, Poison Flag, Purple Iris, Snake Lily, Water Flag, American Flower-de-Luce, Iris Varié, Amerikanischer Schwertel

Massey (1941) included Iris versicolor in a list of plants described as "less troublesome" causes of dermatitis, but did not cite the source of his information. According to Muenscher (1939, 1951), some individuals receive a severe dermatitis from handling the rootstocks or other parts of iris. McCord (1962) included the rhizome of [unspecified] Iris spp. in a list of dermatitis-inducing plants.

Piffard (1881) recorded that a tincture of blue flag taken orally, and applied externally in an ointment is a useful remedy for eczema and psoriasis; and Felter & Lloyd (1898) recorded that Iris is of great utility in dermal practice, being useful in comedones and other eruptions common to youth, eczema rubrum in children, eczema of the scalp in adults, syphilitic skin diseases, persistent prurigo, psoriasis, and acne indurata.

Pammel (1911), citing earlier authors, included this species in a list of irritant poisons, but was possibly referring to gastro-intestinal rather than dermatologic effects.

Tritonia gladiolaris Goldblatt & J.C.Manning

[syns Gladiolus lineatus Salisb., Ixia gladiolaris Lam., Tritonia lineata Ker Gawl.]

Lined Tritonia, Yellow Tritonia

According to Hulme (1954), in the traditional medicine of Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal] the roots of Tritonia lineata are burnt and ground into a powder then used to heal an infant's navel if not healing naturally after being severed.

References

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