Iris brevicaulis Rafinesque. clade: Phaeiris. Common name: Short-stemmed Iris, Lamance Iris, Zigzag Iris. Phenology: Late Apr-Jun; Jun-Aug. Habitat: Swamps, bottomlands, bogs, seeps, marshes. Distribution: OH west to KS, south to Panhandle FL and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = AqW, Ar, C, ETx1, F, FNA26, G, GW1, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mo1, Tn, Tx, WH3; = Phaeiris brevicaulis (Raf.) M.B.Crespo, Mart.-Azorín, & Mavrodiev – Crespo, Martínez-Azorín, & Mavrodiev (2015); > Iris foliosa Mack. & Bush – S; > Iris mississippiensis Small – S
Links to other floras: = Iris brevicaulis - FNA26
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
- Great Plains: OBL
- Midwest: OBL
- Northcentral & Northeast: OBL
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 1-2 ft.
plant sale text: This native iris is found in wet woodlands, swamps and marshy shores of the southern and central United States. The species name, brevicaulis, means "with a short stem", referring to the flower stalk which doesn't rise above its leaves. "Zigzag" refers to the pattern of its rhizomes spreading. Though it is a wetland species, zigzag iris can grow well in a garden with rich, slightly acidic soil. Like many irises, this species can be lifted and divided every few years. The Iris genus supports up to 12 species of lepidoptera.
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native range: southern & central U.S.