Iris flexicaulis Small. clade: Phaeiris. Common name: Zigzag Blue Flag. Phenology: Mar-May. Habitat: Marshes, bottomlands. Distribution: S. LA west to e. TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: See discussion in Diggs et al. (2006). "This taxon has long been treated in TX as I. hexagona Walter var. flexicaulis (Small) R.C. Foster (e.g., Correll & Johnston 1970; Kartesz 1999) or simply I. hexagona (Turner et al. 2003). However, Henderson (2002), in his recent treatment of the genus for Flora of North America, indicated that this entity should actually be treated as I. flexicaulis, which he considers to be a hybrid between I. brevicaulis and I. giganticaerulea Small (GIANT BLUE IRIS). Based on this recent work, we are following Henderson (2002) for nomenclature of this taxon and tentatively treating it as a hybrid. However, no I. giganticaerulea is known from TX (only known from AL, LA, and MS – Henderson 2002), and if I. flexicaulis is indeed a hybrid, it is widespread and apparently reproducing on its own. Numerous populations of what we consider to be I. flexicaulis have been observed along wet roadsides in Hardin Co. (e.g., Diggs & George s.n. BRIT), as well as other areas of East TX. This taxon is thus possibly worthy of recognition as a distinct species or as a variety of I. hexagona or some other species – field work on this complex in TX is needed to determine the status of I. flexicaulis and its relationship with other taxa. According to Henderson (2002), the true I. hexagona is found only in FL and SC, and is considered one of the rarest North American irises."

Synonymy ⓘ: = S; = Iris ×flexicaulis Small (pro sp.) – ETx1, FNA26, K3, K4; = Iris hexagona Walter var. flexicaulis (Small) R.C.Foster – Tx

Links to other floras: = Iris ×flexicaulis - FNA26

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (name change)
• Great Plains: OBL (name change)

Heliophily ⓘ: 7