Yellowflag
Iris
(Iris pseudoacorus)
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Yellowflag iris is a herbaceous perennial, wetland species that was introduced to North America as an ornamental. Yellowflag iris forms large, dense colonies, similar to cattails, and grows in wet areas and in water up to 10 inches deep. Plants are 3 to 4 feet tall with long, linear, dark green leaves. Leaves emerge from the ground in a fan-like arrangement. Leaves are similar to a common garden iris in that they are smooth edged, mostly basal leaves that are flattened and sward-like with a pointed tip. Leaves have a raised midrib and are erect with the upper part arching. Several flowers are born on erect flower stalks. The large pale to deep yellow flowers have three downward pointing and three upward pointing petals. Some petals have light brown to purple veins or flecks. The fruit is a three-angled cylindrical capsule 1 to 4 inches long. Each fruit contains many flat brown seeds. Yellowflag iris can reproduce and spread by both rhizomes and seeds. |
