Yellow Flag Iris

Root of this herb: yellow flag iris
Chewed into the cavity
Carries the hope of cure
But also the fear
Of delirium, or death.

Why risk it? The tongue
That finds the opening
For the root knows compulsively
That to stop it anything
Is possible, even oblivion.

Greg Hill

The ancient herbalists used this flower as a cure for toothache. It was also believed that the root was toxic if swallowed. Certainly it can cause skin irritation if handled. It looks pretty growing beside water but can become invasive very quickly if not controlled.