Iridaceae

Iris missouriensis

Rocky Mountain Iris

Stem erect, with few, short, grass-like leaves. Rhizomes stout, covered with old leaf bases. Leaves narrow, sometimes stained purple, shorter than flower stem. Flower light to dark lavender-blue; yellow-orange patch on the 3 lower petals, surrounded by white; dark blue pencil lines over all. Flower sits on top of widened ovary without a perianth tube. Grows in moist areas along rivers, meadows, at mid elevations.

• Rarity: Common
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 8--24 inches
• Habitat: Meadow, Shrub-Steppe, Bog/Fen/Wetland, Moist Riverbanks
• Found In: East Gorge, Great Basin, Steens, Olympic Np
• Native: Yes