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Iris virginica is the typical "blue flag" iris; it is an impressive plant 2-3' tall that prefers wetlands and shallow water. Each flower is 3-4" across consisting of: (1) three sepals (the "falls") that whose ends droop, each with a conspicuous bright-yellow spot (the "signal") and blue lines lead from the edges of the sepal into the signal; (2) directly above the sepals are three blue-violet petal-like style branches (the "style arms") with upturned tips (the "style crests") (the stigma, where pollen is captured, is located at the fold between the style arms and crests); and, (3) between the sepals are three petals with dark purple veins (the "standards") that rise up above the plane of the sepals and style branches. A green, ovoid ovary occurs at the base of the sepals and petals. The stamens are located under the style arms. The seed capsules are three-lobed, elongate ovals 2-3" long that contain seeds that float on the water when released. Blue flag iris (Iris virginica) is native to Illinois and Missouri, but it is sometimes confused with the very similar Iris versicolor; however, the Illinois Department of Natural History does not recognize Iris versicolor as occurring in Illinois. (It is present in Wisconsin and Minnesota.)

Iris

Iris virginica

blue flag iris [Blooms: May-Jun]