Iris domestica (L.) Goldblatt & Mabb.

The blackberry lily (Iris domestica) is an erect herb 50-150 cm tall of the Iridaceae family, native to East Asia, including Japan, India, and the Indo-China region, and also found in North America. Often grown as a garden ornamental, this plant has actually long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve lung and liver ailments. Its preparations are also believed to reduce fever, relieve coughs, and treat tonsillitis.

Grows in subtropical regions and various habitats such as grasslands, mountainous areas, roadsides, hillslopes, vacant fields, coastal plains, forest edges, or shrubland. It favors fertile soil with adequate water. Grows well at elevations of 200-800 m above sea level.

• Roots consist of a rhizome or creeping underground stem with numerous yellow or orange fibrous roots.
• Stem branches into a flat panicle, with flowers only at the stem tips.
• Leaves arranged in 2 rows with bases splitting into tall sheaths, lance-shaped, bluish-green.
• Flowers compound, 6-12 blooms, orange-yellow with red speckles.
• Fruit box-shaped, round, elongated, beaked, green.
• Seeds round, flat, white.

Propagated by seed, and by separating offshoots or root divisions.

Flavonoids, terpenoids, quinones, phenolic compounds, ketones, the glycosides shekanin and belamcandin, and irisin.

Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, expectorant; treats stomach ache; acts as a purgative; treats asthma, bad breath, cough, digestive problems, tonsillitis; reduces fever; helps prevent liver damage.

Jamaka, Sulinga (Sunda), Semprit, Wordi (Java), Karimenga kulo, Katna, Ketep, Ketew, Kiris (Minahasa).