Flower ID: IMG_1493.JPG-06-08-2022 Flower name (scientific): Iris virginica Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) EYE-riss vir-JIN-ih-kuh Flower name (common): Southern Blue Flag Family name (common): Iris Family name (scientific): Iridaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greeek iris. In Greek mythology iris was the goddess who served as the messenger of the gods, and who took the form of a rainbow. A reference to the many colors displayed by a number of the species in this genus. Specific epithet: Of or related to Virginia. Common name origin: Blue indicates the flower coloration. Flag from old English flagge, denotes a plant with an ensiform leaf shape and often applied to reeds or rushes growing in moist habitats. Now more commonly associated with members of the Iris family. Southern presumably indicated its geographic distribution, but in North America, the native range of this species is from Florida to Quebec. Flower description: Size: 3.0 to 4.0 inches ( 7.6 to 10.2 cm) Petal count: 3 Color: blue Other: flower arrangement, None Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches ( 30. to 91. cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, linear Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): May to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Meadows, woodlands, prairies, swamps, fens, lakeshores, streambanks, wet, partial sun to sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Iris virginica (Southern Blueflag) is similar to Iris versicolor. Iris virginica has sepals with a yellow patch at the base of the blade, whereas Iris versicolor has sepals with a pale yelloww patch with dark purple streaks at the base of the blade. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant to treat ulcers, liver issues, and urinary track problems (Moerman, p. 278, 1998). Latitude: 44.797853 Longitude: -91.503710 Altitude: 249.00 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): OBL Wetland Status (MW): OBL