Wild Iris, Blue Flag (Iris setosa)

I found this image when I was checking out the Iris setosa page in the PlantFiles. This image was added in 2003, so I don't know if you're still visiting Dave's, bobbix. If so, are you sure this is Iris setosa? It sure doesn't look like the wild ones we have here. Is it a cultivar? I'd sure appreciate knowing.

I agree that the plant does not look like Iris setosa. The standards are way too large. Mind you, I have no idea which species it is. Where was it originally growing?

I have no idea, Todd. Bobbix was from Chehalis, WA, so it was probably growing in the Pacific Northwest, but that's a guess. This iris looks familiar... I think I've seen it on one of the forums, but it sure doesn't look like our Iris setosa. Bobbix entered this picture about the time he/she signed up, so follow up may not be possible... Bobbix, oh Bobbix!

I'm wondering if it might be one of the Pacific Coast iris species. If photographed in Washington that would be a possibility....I don't think setosa is native that far south.

Well, I believe Chehalis is in Lewis County, WA. Here's a map: http://www.co.lewis.wa.us/publicworks/maps/LewisCountyLocation.html It isn't too far from the coast, it seems. I visited there once, many years ago when my second husband attended a Stihl Chainsaw dealers' meeting. Here is a wild iris from that area: http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/framewld.html What do you think, Todd?

BTW, I've emailed bobbix - it may take a couple days for the system to send him/her a notice they've got a message waiting, but as long as their email address still works, hopefully we can get in touch ;o)

Thanks, Terry... the web is a wonderful place.. so many sources available to solve a mystery!

I think the pic is of Iris tenax. It is the only smaller iris native to Washington. Indeed, as I suspected, I.setosa grows nowhere near Washington.

Of course, I'm just making the assumption that this picture was taken in Washington. It will be interesting to see if Terry gets an answer. We'll see if we're right!

Hey Folks-
I'm not an iris expert, the books I checked didn't have many species.
This is in Lewis County in Washington State, they grow wild in SW Washington. It is a low-growing plant, not like most cultivated irises. Perhaps it is Western Blue Iris?
If it is another species my apologies for causing confusion. Please email me what you have determined.
Thanks-
bobbix2@yahoo.com

Hi, bobbix! I'm so glad you got back to us! It's good information to know it grows in the wild there. I looked up Western Blue Flag (Iris missouriensis) and its habitat is California east to Colorado. Here is a picture: http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/westernblueflag.html Tom's suggestion that it is Iris tenax seems good to me. Here's a photo and it shows the areas it grows: http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/tenax.html What do you think?