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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Iris versicolor
Phenology Observation Sheet for Wildflowers and Herbs

COMMON NAME

Blue flag iris

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Iris versicolor

ALSO KNOWN AS

Harlequin blueflag, Larger blueflag, Northern blueflag, poison flag

Plant family

Iris (Iridaceae)

Plant group

Wildflowers and Herbs

Blue flag is an herbaceous perennial forming large clumps from its thick rhizomes, growing up to 36" tall.
85 reports
26+
OBSERVERS
85+
OBSERVATIONS
!

Identification hints

The leaves of irises are folded and overlapping at the base, forming a flat fan.
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Did you know?

Hummingbirds are attracted to the blue flag iris. The rhizomes are toxic to livestock, hence the alternate name of "poison flag."
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Connecticut , District of Columbia , Delaware , Idaho , Illinois , Massachusetts , Maryland , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Rhode Island , Virginia , Vermont , Wisconsin
HABITAT
Blue flag is found in wet meadows, stream banks, marshes, and swamps.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Leaves are sword-shaped and without leaf stalks, growing from the base of the plant , 4-31" long and at least 1/2" wide.
Flowers
Flowers are borne on a sturdy stalk about 36" high. They are various shades of blue and purple, the sepals (the outermost whorl of the flower) with a greenish-yellow blotch at their base and with dark venation.
Fruits
Fruit is an oblong and bluntly angled three parted capsule that opens to reveal many small seeds.
Bloom Time
Blooms in May, June, and July

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