Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) is an perennial, aquatic invasive plant in the iris family (Iridaceae). This invasive plant is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It was introduced to North America in 1911 (Newfoundland) and to Ontario in 1940 as an ornamental plant. Since its introduction to North America, it has escaped cultivation and is a problematic invasive plant in a variety of aquatic, semi-aquatic an wet terrestrial environments. Some of the negative impacts of yellow iris include:

• It forms very dense mats of vegetation that decrease biodiversity and displace desirable native plan species
• It can alter hydrology and can covert aquatic habitats such as wetlands to wet meadows and forest
• It can clog irrigation, drainage ditches and stormwater management pons
• All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and contact with the plant’s sap can cause skin irritation

For more information on Yellow Iris, download our Best Management Practices Document, available at the link below