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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Iris innominata

Iris innominata L.F. Hend.

Del Norte County Iris

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Synonym(s): Iris tenax ssp. innominata

USDA Symbol: IRIN

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This is a small iris, with flower stems to 10 in. tall, very narrow, shiny, dark green leaves and showy, deep golden to whitish to purple heavily veined flowers. Flowering stem is one- to two-flowered.

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

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Flower stems up to about 10 inches tall. Leaves up to about 14 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually heavily purple or brown veined.

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Del Norte Co., CA & adjacent OR
Native Habitat: Open, mixed evergreen forest

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Drier, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This species has been used in a number of select garden crosses.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Seed Collection: Easily collected from the large capsules.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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