Common Name

Blue Flag Iris

Scientific Name

Iris virginica

A native perennial iris with conspicuous purple flowers in spring. Each flower has 3 drooping sepals, called “falls”, that have white marks and yellow near the throat. Its leaves are sword shaped and erect with a bluish-green to green color.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Species: Iris virginica

Habitat

Forest, Wetland

Distribution

Native in the United States from Nebraska to the west, Florida and Texas to the south, New York to the east, and the Canadian border to the north. In Canada, it is native in Ontario and Quebec.

Seasonality

Spring

Abundance

Common

Activity Time

Diurnal

Diet

Behavior

Ecological Role

Source of nectar for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It also helps to stabilize soil and filter water, making it a great choice for rain gardens

Conservation Status

Least Concern