Iris macrosiphon

Torrey

Pacif. Railr. Rep. 4(5): 144. 1857.

Common names: Ground iris
IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Iris elata Piper
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 384. Mentioned on page 374, 381, 382, 385, 386, 387.

Rhizomes many-branched, forming tufts, with fibrous remains of old leaves at nodes, slender, 0.6–0.8 cm diam.; roots few, fibrous. Stems simple, solid, almost absent or to 2.5 dm. Leaves: basal longer than stem, blade light green, finely veined, narrowly linear, 3–4 dm × 0.4–0.6 cm, glaucous, margins not thickened, apex acute; cauline 1–2, spreading, sheathing for about 1/2 length, foliaceous, blade not inflated, 0.7–1 dm. Inflorescence units (1–)2-flowered; spathes nearly opposite, connivent, linear-lanceolate, 4–9.5 cm × 4–6 mm, subequal or outer longer. Flowers: perianth indigo, purple, lavender, white, cream, or yellow; floral tube linear, gradually dilating apically, 6 cm; sepals usually with fine, dark veins basally, becoming coarser on claw, oblanceolate or obovate, 3.9–7 × 2 cm, base abruptly attenuate into claw; petals oblanceolate, 3.5–6 × 0.5–1.6 cm, base gradually attenuate; ovary ovoid, ca. 1 cm; style 2–3.5 cm, crests overlapping, reflexed, semiovate, 0.8–1.8 cm, margins denticulate; stigmas triangular, margins entire; pedicel 1.5–2 cm. Capsules oblong to ovoid, somewhat 3-angled in cross section, 2.5–3 cm. Seeds dark brown, angular, finely wrinkled. 2n = 40.


Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Sunny hillsides, meadows, roadsides

Discussion

Iris macrosiphon hybridizes with I. chrysophylla, I. douglasiana, I. fernaldii, I. hartwegii, I. innominata, I. munzii, I. purdyi, I. tenax, and I. tenuissima.

The invalid name “Iris californica” Leichtlin has sometimes been applied to a portion of this species.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.