A perennial herb, growing 10-80 centimeters high. This iris tends to form large clumps from thick, creeping rhizomes. The unwinged, erect stems generally have basal leaves that are more than 1 cm wide. Leaves are folded on the midribs so that they form an overlapping flat fan. The well developed blue flower has 6 petals and sepals spread out nearly flat and have two forms. The longer sepals are hairless and have a greenish-yellow blotch at their base. The inferior ovary is bluntly angled. Fruit is a 3-celled, bluntly angled capsule.
Herb Effects
Emetic, diuretic and cathartic (dried root); alterative, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and sialagogue (root)
In disorders of the liver and duodenum, constipation and biliousness, for syphilis and some forms of low-grade scrofula and skin affection (dried root); as an inhalation in hoarseness and dryness of the throat, in the treatment of psoriasis, acne, herpes, arthritis, swollen glands, pelvic inflammatory disease, to wounds and rheumatic joints
Health Remedies 
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