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Roast-beef plant

How to identify Roast-beef plant (Iris foetidissima)

Roast-beef plant, also known as Gladdon, Spurge plant, Gladwin iris

Roast-beef plant is a perennial with a rhizomatous base, forming clumps of evergreen foliage that reach 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) tall and about 2 feet (60 cm) wide. Its leaves are sword-shaped and long, providing a year-round lush appearance. In mid-spring, it produces light blue flowers that barely surpass the foliage in height. Distinctive for its ornamental value, roast-beef plant showcases striking orange-red seeds in the fall, housed in elongated, 3-inch (7.6 cm) pods that split open to reveal the brightly colored seeds.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Roast-beef plant

1

Evergreen foliage forms clumps up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.

2

Sword-shaped leaves provide a lush appearance year-round.

3

Produces light blue flowers barely surpassing foliage in mid-spring.

4

Striking orange-red seeds in elongated pods split open in fall.

5

Distinctive rhizomatous base and ornamental value set roast-beef plant apart.

Roast-beef plantRoast-beef plantRoast-beef plantRoast-beef plantRoast-beef plant

Roast-beef plant and Their Similar Plants

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Yellow flag vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) is a flowering perennial plant native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. In temperate climates throughout the globe, yellow flag is cultivated as an ornamental plant. Yellow flag contains the toxin tannin and can irritate the skin. It's considered and invasive aquatic species.
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Blackberry lily vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
Blackberry lily (Iris domestica) is a herbaceous perennial that grows from 61 to 91 cm tall. The leaves of the plant grow in fans, similar to those of a gladiolus. It is also called a leopard lily due to its big orange flowers. The blooms are showy and will blossom from summer to early fall. It needs full sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
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Northern blue flag iris vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
The northern blue flag iris is considered a wetland species, which means it plants well near pond or lake edges, in water meadows, and near other water features. It can tolerate being in standing water that is less than 15 cm deep and can be completely submerged for a short time. The northern blue flag iris is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant that grows 10 to 79 cm high.
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Siberian iris vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
Siberian iris is an exceptional beauty with its bluish-purple flower petals and long, strappy green foliage. Historically, this flower symbolized the royal families and monarchs. Despite its elegance, this plant possesses low toxicity characteristics that plant enthusiasts should nevertheless be mindful of.
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Japanese Iris vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
The japanese Iris is a flowering perennial aquatic plant in purple, blue, and white. Native to parts of Asia, it is easy to care for and grows well in wet conditions. This plant thrives in ponds and water features in full sun to partial shade.
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Netted iris vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
Iris reticulata is prized as a hardy, early bloomer by many gardeners in the world. Native to Turkey, Russia, and the Caucasus, but cultivated worldwide, this dwarf netted iris blooms in late winter or early spring. The delicate-looking flowers of netted iris sometimes even emerge from the snow, but they're so hardy that they remain intact in snow and frost.
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Butterfly-flower vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
Native to China and Japan, butterfly-flower, or Iris japonica, is commonly cultivated in gardens in both the United States and the United Kingdom. This beautiful flowering perennial is considered poisonous, and even handling the plant can cause skin irritation.
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Dwarf crested iris vs. Roast-beef plant: What's The Difference?
Endemic to the eastern US, the dwarf crested iris is a species of irises that has pale lavender flowers with an orange or yellow crest. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. Flowers are fragrant.
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Key Facts About Roast-beef plant

Attributes of Roast-beef plant
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
75 cm
Spread
45 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
10 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Purple
Violet
Fruit Color
Red
Orange
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Scientific Classification of Roast-beef plant

Family
Iris
Icon allow
Genus
Irises
Icon allow
Species
Roast-beef plant (Iris foetidissima)
Learn More About the Roast-beef plant

Distribution Map of Roast-beef plant

Roast-beef plant is native to the western Mediterranean region and the adjacent Atlantic coast. It has been introduced to parts of continental Europe, as well as beyond, to regions with a temperate climate including Australasia. The plant is also widely cultivated, suggesting adaptation to various environments outside of its natural range.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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