WESTERN BLUE IRIS

Class: Iris missouriensis

Family: IRIS FAMILY

Sub Family: Iridaceae

Year: Perennial

Other Names: Fleur-de-lis, Rocky Mountain Iris, Snake Lily

Colour: Violet-blue

Height: 30-60 cm (1-2')

Each Flower: Up to 7.5 cm (3") across with 3 narrow, deep violet-blue upcurved petals; shorter than the 3 broad, downcurved petal-like sepals, which are paler in colour and yellow-blotched at their bases, boldly purple-lined; style has 3 petal-like branches; 3 stamens are opposite sepals and under style branches; flower-stems up to 6.5 cm (2 1/2") long with sheath-like bracts from which flowers emerge

Leaves: Alternate up stem, stiff, sword-like, up to 40 cm (16") long and up to 2 cm (3/4") broad, finely-ribbed, sheathing the stem

Stems: Stout, rigid, round, branched above

Blooming Period: May - June

Habitat: Wet meadows, streambanks

Note:

Poisonous. May cause dermatitis