Douglas iris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Douglas iris |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Iris
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| Species: |
douglasiana
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The Douglas iris, also known as Iris douglasiana, is a common and beautiful wildflower. You can find it growing along the coast in Northern and Central California. It also grows in southern Oregon in the United States. This pretty plant was named after David Douglas, a botanist who first described it. He found it in Monterey, California, a long time ago in the 1800s.
About the Douglas Iris
The Douglas iris usually grows in places close to the ocean. It prefers lower areas, often below 100 meters (330 ft) (about 330 feet). Sometimes, you might find it higher up, even at 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) (about 3,300 feet). It is most common in grassy areas near the coast.
Farmers sometimes see it as a bit of a problem in their pastures. This is because it grows in thick clumps. These clumps can stop other plants from growing well. Also, its leaves taste bitter, so cattle usually do not eat them.
What It Looks Like
The Douglas iris is a type of Iris that grows from an underground stem called a rhizome. This rhizome is usually less than a centimeter (about 0.4 inches) thick. Its leaves are about 2 centimeters (0.79 in) (about 0.8 inches) wide.
The flowers bloom from April to June. They are usually a pretty purplish-blue color. But sometimes, you might see white or yellow flowers too! Each stem has two or three flowers. The stems can be different heights, from 15–80 centimeters (5.9–31.5 in) (about 6 to 31 inches) tall.
Special Features
There are a few different types, or "varieties," of Douglas iris. For example, Iris douglasiana var. altissima and Iris douglasiana var. oregonensis are two of them. However, this plant can look quite different from one place to another. So, these varieties might not always be easy to tell apart.
The Douglas iris can also mix its genes with other iris species. This creates new kinds of irises that are a mix of both parents. For example, it can naturally mix with the I. innominata. This natural mix is called Iris ×thompsonii. There is also a garden mix with the same species called Iris ×aureonympha.
This beautiful plant has received a special award. It won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This award means it is an excellent plant for gardens.
Images for kids
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Closeup of flower
See also
In Spanish: Iris douglasiana para niños
