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Iris fulva
Iris fulva Ker Gawl.
Copper Iris, Red Iris
Iridaceae (Iris Family)
Synonym(s): Iris ecristata
USDA Symbol: IRFU
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Showy copper, red or orange, drooping petals and spreading sepals make up the terminal flower of this otherwise typical iris. Showy, reddish-brown flowers with 6 widely spreading, petal-like parts on a slender stalk taller than sword-like leaves. The flowering stem is up to 3 ft. high. Long, narrow leaves are bright green.
This beautiful southern iris of wet sloughs and swampy woods has distinctly flat-topped flowers compared to other irises. It can be cultivated in moist wildflower gardens.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually up to about 3 feet tall, rarely to 5 feet.
Leaf: Green
Flower: 2 to 3 inches.
Fruit: 2 to 3 inches.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Orange , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually brick red to orange, occasionally yellow.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MO , MS , TN , TXNative Distribution: S. IL & MO, s. to MS & LA, along coast to GA
Native Habitat: Freshwater marshes; stream banks; pine savannas; cypress swamps; wet pastures
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2) , Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: Low
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Saturated, rich soils. Normally grows in acid soils but can tolerate lime.
Conditions Comments: Leaves more likely to persist through winter if doesn't get too wet or too dry.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Popular in Southern gardensUse Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and bees
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Clump division is the usual method of increase. All native iris can be grown from seed.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Will colonize by rhizomes, so thin out if spreads too far.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
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 fulva in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Iris fulva in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Iris fulva
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: TWC Staff