Iris giganticaerulea
Botanical Name: Iris giganticaerulea (added by D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Botanical Synonyms:
N/A
Classification:
Louisiana Iris, Hexagonae, Apogon, Beardless Iris (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Common Names:
Giant blue flag (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Chromosome Count:
2n=44 (D. Kramb, 20-SEP-04)
General Description:
Flowers are 5" to 6" (13 to 15cm) across, predominantly blue to blue-purple and sometimes white. Flower form is typically flaring. (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Stalks grow from 28" to 71" tall. Flowers are pale to dark blue with a yellow signal ridge. (D. Kramb, 20-SEP-04)
Distinguishing Features:
This is the largest species in the Hexagonae series. Rhizomes are very large, from 5" to 12" and 0.75" to 1.5" thick. Can grow to 66" tall. (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Preferred Habitat:
Grows in full sun or partial sun, in open swamps. Thrives under flooded conditions and tolerates brackish water. (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Hardiness:
Estimated Zones 7-11. Can probably survive to Zone 5 or 6 with winter protection. (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Native Range:
USA (Louisiana and southeast Texas, from coastal areas to 100 miles inland) (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Status in the Wild:
N/A
Commercial Availability:
Specialty. Often available at water garden centers. (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Sources Cited:
Most information added on 01-JAN-04 comes from the book (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Info entered on 20-SEP-04 comes from the SIGNA Checklist of Iris Species. (D. Kramb, 20-SEP-04)
Additional Comments:
This species is extremely variable in the wild. (D. Kramb, 01-JAN-04)
Species Iris Group of North America
SIGNA member!