Height: 2'-3' (.6-1m). Flower: 3" (8cm) diameter; regular, having 3 petal-like sepals that curve downward and outward; base is whitish with a yellow spot and purple veins, 3 smaller upright petals, 3 petal-like styles that arch over the sepals, 3 stamens hidden under the styles; solitary, on branched stem. Leaves: Flat, swordlike; entire; upright, rising from basal cluster. In bloom: May-August. Habitat-Range: Marshes and wet meadows; in northern part of range.
This common, large, showy iris is found in the northern part of our range. A similar species common in the south is the Southern Blue Flag, I. virginica. The yellow spot on its sepals is usually brighter and downy. There are also yellow, white or copper-colored species. Because of their spectacular colors, these lovely flowers were named iris, the Greek for "rainbow" "Flag" is derived from Middle English flagge, meaning "rush" or "reed". The flower was also the model for the emblem chosen by King Louis VII of France; hence the name fleur-de-lis, a corruption of "flower of Louis." The Iris was also one of the most popular of Indian medicinal plants. It grows from a rhizome which was cultivated and used as a cathartic and, in pulverized form, as a poultice for sores and bruises.