Family: Iridaceae
blue flag, Shreve's iris, southern blue flag, Virginia iris
Etymology: Iris: named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow
Plants: erect, perennial, semi-aquatic, 1'-3' tall forb with usually 1-3 spreading branches; creeping, often colony-forming rhizomes
Leaves: widely linear to sword-shaped, erect or arching
Flowers: blue to purple, 6-parted, 3" wide, short-stalked; hairy, bright yellow spot at the base of the sepals; blooms May-July
Fruits: 3-angled, elliptical to oval capsule
Habitat: full to partial sun; wet; meadows, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, semi-aquatic, 1'-3' tall forb with usually 1-3 spreading branches; creeping, often colony-forming rhizomes
Leaves: widely linear to sword-shaped, erect or arching
Flowers: blue to purple, 6-parted, 3" wide, short-stalked; hairy, bright yellow spot at the base of the sepals; blooms May-July
Fruits: 3-angled, elliptical to oval capsule
Habitat: full to partial sun; wet; meadows, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = OBL Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key