IRIS FAMILY _(Iridaceae)_


Larger Blue Flag; Blue Iris; Fleur-de-lis; Flower-de-luce

_Iris versicolor_

_Flowers_--Several, 2 to 3 in. long, violet-blue variegated with yellow,
green, or white, and purple veined. Six divisions of the perianth: 3
outer ones spreading, recurved; 1 of them bearded, much longer and wider
than the 3 erect inner divisions; all united into a short tube. Three
stamens under 3 overhanging petal-like divisions of the style, notched
at end; under each notch is a thin plate, smooth on one side, rough and
moist (stigma) on side turned away from anther. _Stem:_ 2 to 3 ft. high,
stout, straight, almost circular, sometimes branching above. _Leaves:_
Erect, sword-shaped, shorter than stem, somewhat hoary, from 1/2 to 1
in. wide, folded, and in a compact flat cluster at base; bracts usually
longer than stem of flower. _Fruit:_ Oblong capsule, not prominently
3-lobed, and with 2 rows of round, flat seeds closely packed in each
cell. _Rootstock:_ Creeping, horizontal, fleshy.

_Preferred Habitat_--Marshes, wet meadows.

_Flowering Season_--May-July.