Why is this iris called stinking gladwyn?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

October 24, 2003

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Stinking gladwyn or gladdon (Iris foetidissima Linnaeus) is native to Europe and North Africa. The common English name derives from two characteristics of the plant's leaves. John Gerard described the plant, "...Gladdon hath long narrow leaves...of a darke green colour...."

Gerard stated the most famous characteristic of the
iris's leaves, "...being rubbed, of a stinking smell
very lothsome." (The Herbal, 1633 edition)
Iris Foetidissima (Stinking Iris)
Photographic Print by Mark Bolton
Buy Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Gladwyn or gladdon part of the common name has nothing to do with the English word, glad. Gladwyn was named for the shape of the leaves deriving from the Latin, gladius, or sword. (Century Unabridged Dictionary, 1889)

Gerard wrote of the flowers, "...like the Floure de-luce, of an over-worne blew colour, or rather purple, with some yellow and red streakes in the midst. After the floures be vaded (faded) there come great huskes or cods, wherein is contained a red berry or seed....The stinking Gladdon floureth in August, the seed whereof is ripe in September."

Stinking gladwyn leaves remain green through the winter; a nice addition to a garden where winters are long and cold. Gerard mentioned, "Gladdon groweth in many gardens [and] I have seene it wilde...in woods and shadowie places neere the sea." Gerard, of course, stated the most famous characteristic of the iris's leaves, "...being rubbed, of a stinking smell very lothsome." (The Herbal, 1633 edition)

Turning Earth has great photographs of the flower and seed capsules of stinking gladwyn. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.turning-earth.co.uk/photos/picpage_iris_foetid.htm

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