Synonyms: Iris longipetala, Iris pariensis, Iris tolmieana, Iris missouriensis var. arizonica, Iris missouriensis var. pelogonus Other Common Names: snake lilly, water flag, fleur-de-lis, western blue flag Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub
Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
Upright perennial that grows in clumps with green sword-shaped leaves and large, showy, lilac-blue flowers with pale throats. Identification notes: Rhizomatous erect perennial, stems slender, simple or branched. Leaves basal, flat and smooth. Pale blue to lavender flowers terminal on stout stalks, tubular with short lobes. Seed capsules contain numerous brown wrinkled seeds. Height:
To 2 feet Habitat
Color:
Blue to purple
Shape:
Irregular not in clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
May - Sep Description:
Flowers are pale blue to violet and streaked with white. The flowers are composed of 3 narrow, erect petals and 3 wider sepals that curve downward. Flowers are to 4 inches wide at the top of a stout, leafless stem. 1 to 4 flowers per stem.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf Color:
Dark green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Basal and alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Green, sword-shaped leaves that grow in clumps. Leaves are basal and on the lower stems. Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit Color: Green to brown Fruit Type: Capsule Fruit Notes: Capsule is 3-celled containing many seeds. Seed Notes: Seeds are obovate, dark to reddish brown and minutely wrinkled.
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590