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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Iris virginica [=Iris virginica var.  virginica]

Southern Blue Flag, Virginia Iris

Scientific Name:

Iris virginica [=Iris virginica var.  virginica]

Genus:

Iris

Species Epithet:

virginica

Common Name:

Southern Blue Flag, Virginia Iris

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Blue, Purple, Violet

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Wet

Bloom Time:

April, May, June, July

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Iris virginica var. shrevei: marshes, swamps, streams (uncommon in NC Mountains & Piedmont); Iris virginica var. virginica: tidal and nontidal marshes and swamps, stream margins, flatwoods, wet meadows, bogs (rare in NC Piedmont, common in Coastal Plain).

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Closeup of Bloom

image

Tom Harville's garden
© Tom Harville

Close-up of flower

Garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Iris virginica [=Iris virginica var.  virginica]. You will likely hear them called Southern Blue Flag, Virginia Iris. This picture shows the Close-up of flower  of Iris virginica [=Iris virginica var.  virginica]

Bettina Darveaux

Fruit (capsules) formed by early August, splitting at the top to release the blocky seeds

Garden in Orange County NC

The Scientific Name is Iris virginica [=Iris virginica var.  virginica]. You will likely hear them called Southern Blue Flag, Virginia Iris. This picture shows the Fruit (capsules) formed by early August, splitting at the top to release the blocky seeds of Iris virginica [=Iris virginica var.  virginica]

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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