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Iris giganticaerulea
Iris giganticaerulea Small
Giant Blue Iris, Blue Flag
Iridaceae (Iris Family)
Synonym(s): Iris alticristata, Iris aurilinea, Iris citricristata, Iris elephantina, Iris fluviatilis, Iris miraculosa, Iris paludicola, Iris parvicaerulea, Iris rivularis, Iris venulosa, Iris wherryana
USDA Symbol: IRGI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The giant blue iris grows 3-6 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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: LANative Distribution: LA coastal areas
Native Habitat: Fresh water habitats, tolerates brackish water to some extent
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates flooded conditions.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesPropagation
Description: Clump division is the usual method of increase. All native iris can be grown from seed.Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL |
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch 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 giganticaerulea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Iris giganticaerulea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Iris giganticaerulea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: TWC Staff