Syn.: Iris cupraea Pursh, Iris ecristata Alexander, Iris fulvaurea Small, Iris rubescens Raf., Limniris fulva (Ker Gawl.) Rodion., Neubeckia fulva (Ker Gawl.) Alef.
Family: Iridaceae Juss.

Iris fulva

Distribution: North American species with primary occurrence along western banks of Mississippi River, rarer in eastern side, from Illinois to Louisiana.

Ecology: Low wet areas and shallow water. Blooms from April to June.

Description: Perennial herb, 30–90 cm tall, from greenish brown, sometimes reddish, branched rhizomes, with scars of old leaves. Stem simple or 1–2-branched; basal leaves 60–100 × 1.5–2.5 cm, arching from stem, widely spreading, bright green, lightly ribbed. Inflorescence 1–2-flowered; spathes unequal, outer green, 10–12 cm, inner 6-8 cm. Flower perianth copper coloured; floral tube hollow to ovary, 2–2.5 cm; outer perianth segments widely spreading or arching downward, obovate, 1–3 prominent veins, 4.5–5.5 cm; inner perianth segments spreading or declining with outer segments, 4–5 × 1.5–2 cm, deeply notched at the tip; ovary green, hexagonal, 1.5–1.7 cm; style convex, 1.8–2 cm, crests reflexed, margins shallowly toothed; stigmas 2-lobed; pedicel 2–4 cm. Fruit is a capsule, green, short beak, 4.5–8 × 2.5 cm; seeds in 2 rows per locule, flattened, 10–15 mm.

Threat and protection: Listed as endangered in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Iris fulvaIris fulva
Iris fulvaIris fulva

These images were taken in USA, Louisiana, Jean Lafitte National Park (by Philip Bergmann, April 2006).