Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Iridaceae

Genus:

Iris

Species:

Iris virginica

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Geophyte

Height:

3-4 ft

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may

Bloom Colors:

White, Pink, Blue

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Ontario, Quebec

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, moist, organic soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Commonly found in wetlands and marshes

Germination Information