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Native Plant Database

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Iris giganticaerulea (Blue flag)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Iris giganticaerulea Small

Blue flag, Giant blue iris

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

USDA Symbol: IRGI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The giant blue iris grows 3–5 feet tall and prefers freshwater marshes. The leaves are 30 inches long or less and 1 1/2 inches wide; they clasp the stem near the base. The blue outer tepals, 3 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide, are marked with a whitish patch with a prominent yellow center; they hang down and are called falls. The blue, erect inner tepals are 3 inches long and are called standards.

A member of the iris family (family Iridaceae) which consists of herbs growing from rhizomes, bulbs, or corms, with narrow basal leaves and showy clusters at the tips of long stalks. There are about 60 genera and 1,500 species, distributed in temperate and tropical regions. Among them, Iris, Freesia, Gladiolus, Bugle Lily, and Montbretia are popular ornamentals. Saffron dye is obtained from Crocus, and essence of violets, used in perfumes, is extracted from the rhizomes of Iris.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: LA
Native Distribution: LA coastal areas
Native Habitat: Fresh water habitats, tolerates brackish water to some extent
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates flooded conditions.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Clump division is the usual method of increase. All native iris can be grown from seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Iris giganticaerulea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Iris giganticaerulea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Iris giganticaerulea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-05-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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