Ground Iris © Gerald & Buff Corsi/Visuals Unlimited

Odd-Shaped Flowers

Description Large, deep golden yellow, cream, pale lavender, or deep blue-purple flowers, usually with distinct veins, on short stalks among sword-shaped leaves.
Flowers: 2 1/2-4" (6.5-10 cm) wide; sepals 3, petal-like, curved downward; petals 3, erect, slightly narrower and shorter than sepals; sepals and petals joined to form a tube at base 1 1/2-3" (4-7.5 cm) long.
Leaves: To 10" (25 cm) long, about 1/4" (6 mm) wide, flexible, tough.
Height: 6-8" (15-20 cm).

Warning Some Iris species are known to be poisonous to humans and animals if eaten (especially the rhizome, or root), and it is likely that all irises contain toxins. Plant juices can cause blisters on the skin.

Flower April-May.

Habitat Grassy or open, wooded slopes.

Range California in northern Coast Ranges and foothills of Sierra Nevada.

Discussion The range in coloration may be partly due to hybridization with other native species, which is common among western irises.