Iris pseudacorus L.

Yellow Flag Iris; Water Flag; Yellow Flag

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Yellow Iris is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Iris family (Iridaceae). It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. In Alabama it can be found at scattered locations across the state. Yellow Iris is often cultivated and can be found escaped in wet roadside ditches, on the banks of rivers and streams, and on the shores of ponds or lakes. It is a perennial with a large creeping rhizome. The rhizomes are pinkish in color and freely branch, producing large clones. The leaves are produced in a fan-like arrangement near the growing tips of the rhizomes. erect, linear in outline, thickened in the middle, slightly glaucous, with entire margins. The leaves are up to 4 feet in length, and their tips become recurved with age. Flowers are produced on erect solid stems. The flowers are produced between 2 spathes. The spathes are green in color with brown margins, and the outer one is larger and keeled. Each inflorescence produces 4-12 flowers, usually with only one being open at a time. Each flower has 3 large downward curving yellow sepals. The sepals have a darker yellow basal patch with radiating brown lines. There are 3 lanceolate yellow petals. The fruit is an oblong, angled capsule. Yellow Iris is commonly cultivated and is available from many nurseries. It prefers full sun and wet soil or shallow water. Yellow Iris is listed as an invasive species in many areas of the world. Plants should not be discarded into the wild.--A. Diamond

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Not Native OBL (NWPL)

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