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Iridaceae
Iris

Iris virginica Linnaeus. Common name: Southern Blue Flag. Phenology: Late Mar-Jun; May-Sep. Habitat: Tidal and nontidal marsh and swamps, stream margin, flatwoods, wet meadows, bog. Distribution: Se. VA south to c. peninsular FL, west to MS, north in the interior to w. TN; disjunct in sc. TN. See I. shrevei for occurrences west and north of this distribution.

Glossary (beta)

clade: Limniris.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy ⓘ: = G, S; = Iris caroliniana S.Watson — S13; = Iris virginica L. var. virginica — C, F, K4; = Limniris virginica (L.) Rodion. — Crespo, Martínez-Azorín, & Mavrodiev (2015); < Iris virginica L. — FNA26, NY, RAB, Tn, Va, W, WH3; Iris virginica L. Basionym: Iris virginica L. 1753

Links to other floras: < Iris virginica - FNA26

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Great Plains: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Midwest: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Northcentral & Northeast: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image of plant© Floyd A. Griffith | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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Height: 2-3 ft.

plant sale text: This native iris has graceful blue flowers which rise above its narrow pointed leaves in late spring. Southern blueflag is a natural for sunny boggy areas, its native habitat, but it also thrives in average soil. The bold, semi-evergreen foliage creates a beautiful silhouette at the edge of a water garden. Established plants grow into large showy clumps. The Iris genus is supports up to 12 species of lepidoptera.

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native range: eastern North America



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