Iris virginica Linnaeus. clade: Limniris. Common name: Southern Blue Flag. Phenology: Late Mar-Jun; May-Sep. Habitat: Tidal and nontidal marshes and swamps, stream margins, flatwoods, wet meadows, bogs. 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.
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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© Floyd A. Griffith | Original Image ⭷
© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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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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