Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Iris setosa (Beachhead iris)
Hampton, Nan

Iris setosa Pallas ex Link

Beachhead iris, Beach-head iris, Wild flag iris, Alaska iris

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

USDA Symbol: IRSE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

These are vigorous plants with strong, sword-like foliage about 2 ft. in height. The iris flowers are purple-blue, usually of a very dark shade, but occasionally pale lavender and intermediate shades. Flowers are 3-6 in. wide.

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AK , ME
Canada: BC , NB , NL , NS , PE , QC
Native Distribution: AK; also n.e. Asia
Native Habitat: Shores; meadows; marshes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet to mesic soils.
Conditions Comments: Blooms usually occur one month after snows disappear.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Warning: Poisonous PARTS: Rhizomes (thickened roots) and rootstocks, fresh or dry. Minor skin irritation when touched, low toxicity if ingested. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap. Toxic Principle: Irisin, iridin, or irisine. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)


Attracts: Hummingbirds

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or rhizome division. Divisions should have at least one strong bud and should be taken in spring. Sow seeds when ripe. Transplant seedlings as soon as they are big enough to handle. Seedlings usually flower in the third year.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-01-06
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back