Iris brevicaulis Rafinesque (Short stemmed iris)

_Photo by Mark Bulger.
_
Probable I. brevicaulis from Texas. Additional photos in habitat.

Lavender form (Click photo for a larger view.)

I. brevicaulis 'Trail of Tears'.

Photo showing "zig-zag" stalk.

Photo by RAB

Habitat: Damp meadows and ditches.

Bloom: Early to mid May in Zone 7/8. Latest of the No. Am. natives except for I. tridentata.

Description:

Flowers: d 10 cm, falls reflexed, standards held at an angle, white to intense blue (typical), yellow median ridge
Stem: h 25-30 cm, zig-zag, recumbant (lays on the ground) or angled up slightly, flowers facing up, stem leaves overtop flowers, flowers in axils
Leaves: h 30-40 cm, w 2-5 cm, drooping tips, glossy translucent
Rhizome: w 2 cm, oval in cross section, greenish, bare, 12 cm annual growth
Capsule/Seeds: w 3 cm, l 5 cm, green at maturity / corky,"D" shaped seed
2n = 42,44
Comments: Never lays over in my garden

Cultivation:

Sun: Full but will tolerate some shade. Afternoon shade in warmer climes.
Soil type: Neutral to acid, lots of humus.
Soil moisture: Moist but not wet. Mulch to retain moisture and protect rhizomes from sun burn.
Feeding: Feed at onset of growth in spring.
Hardiness: possibly to zone 4
Transplant: Easy in fall or spring after bloom.
Seed germination: ? Other members of the series are best plantedbefore the seeds dry.
Comments: Generally easy. Will grow in "border garden" conditions with additional water. Grows fair but is a shy bloomer for me. Goes dormant in the summer here and often doesn't put on fall growth like the rest ofthe series. Never lays over in my garden.

Distribution of I. brevicaulis:

Green indicates presence of I. brevicaulis within the state or province.

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Last modified 10/04