Iris tenuissima

Botanical Name: Iris tenuissima (added by D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Botanical Synonyms:
N/A
Classification:
Californicae, Pacific Coast Native (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Common Names:
Shasta Iris, Long-tube Iris (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Chromosome Count:
2n=40 (D. Kramb, 10-OCT-04)
General Description:
Cream, pale yellow or white, with prominent reddish-brown or lavender veins. (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Grows 6"-12" tall with cream flowers veined purple. (D. Kramb, 10-OCT-04)
Distinguishing Features:
Long floral tube; 1½ to 3 inches. Tube abruptly larger in upper, throat-like section, as in the end of an upturned bottle. Long, narrow style crests, usually turned back inward. Floral parts slender and easily broken ("tenuissima" = very tenuous). Flowers appear rather flat; petals and sepals spread outward, their edges often ruffled. Stigma sharply triangular, nearly tongue-shaped. (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Preferred Habitat:
Shaded, duff-covered forest floor or small sunny openings in oak/pine woodlands. (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Hardiness:
N/A
Native Range:
USA (CA) - Northern California foothills around upper end of the Great Central Valley, southern Klamath and Cascade Ranges. 300 to 6,000 feet elevation. (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Status in the Wild:
N/A
Commercial Availability:
N/A
Sources Cited:
Information entered on 06-JAN-04 comes from the Pacific Coast Native Iris club website. (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)
Info entered on 10-OCT-04 comes from the SIGNA Checklist of Iris Species. (D. Kramb, 10-OCT-04)
Additional Comments:
Http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/ (D. Kramb, 06-JAN-04)