BEARDED IRIS

BEARDED IRIS

Iris germanica
IRIS FAMILY (Iridiceae)

Identification

  • Flowering time - May, June
  • Local populations at FF and NW - see Occurrence
  • Showy yellow or purple flowers
  • 3 upright petals and 3 drooping petal-like sepals
  • Long, flat leaves with pointed tips
Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

Planted as a garden ornamental a long time ago at the old Baldwin farmstead on History Trail, which was abandoned in the 1960’s. Just when those at Neale Woods were planted is not certain. So this iris has persisted long after cultivation. Leaves are sword-like, eventually up to 3 feet tall and about 2 inches wide (A). The flowers are yellow and white, with purple markings and yellow “beards” (A,B,C). The flower structure, as in other irises, has flower parts in sets of threes. Technically, the upright set of 3 (standards) are the petals while the drooping, bearded outer set of 3 (falls) are modified sepals. The pink to purple variety of this iris, growing at the same site, is simply a color variant of the same species (D,E).

Local populations in Fontenelle Forest at the abandoned Baldwin farmstead on History Trail and at the site of the previous nature center building just above the parking lot at Neale Woods. The sword-like leaves emerge each spring, but flowers are produced only after a wet spring. Flowering occurs in May and June.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.