Iris missouriensis facts for kids

Iris missouriensis is a tough and beautiful flowering plant. It's also known as the western blue flag, Rocky Mountain iris, or Missouri flag. This plant is part of the Iris family, which is known for its colorful flowers. It grows from a special underground stem called a rhizome.

This iris is originally from western North America. You can find it in many different places. It grows high up in mountains and alpine meadows. You can also find it closer to the sea in coastal hills.

Quick facts for kids Iris missouriensis
Iris missouriensis (Wenas Wildlife Area, Washington)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Iris
Species:	missouriensis
Synonyms
Iris arizonica Dykes Iris haematophylla var. valametica Herb. ex Hook. Iris longipetala var. montana Baker Iris missouriensis f. alba H.St.John Iris missouriensis var. albiflora Cockerell Iris missouriensis f. angustispatha R.C.Foster Iris missouriensis var. arizonica (Dykes) R.C.Foster Iris missouriensis var. pelogonus (Goodd.) R.C.Foster Iris missuriensis M.Martens Iris montana Nutt. ex Dykes Iris pariensis S.L.Welsh Iris pelogonus Goodd. Iris tolmieana Herb. Limniris missouriensis (Nutt.) Rodion.

What Does the Western Blue Flag Look Like?

The three, usually light blue, sepals have purple lines and surround the three smaller darker-blue petals.

The Iris missouriensis is a plant that stands upright. It grows from an underground rhizome, which is like a root. The plant usually reaches about 20 to 40 centimeters (8 to 16 inches) tall.

Its flowering stems do not have leaves or branches. The leaves at the bottom of the plant are long and thin. They are about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. These leaves are usually as tall as the flower stems.

Each plant usually has one or two flowers. Sometimes, it can have three or four. Each flower has three light to dark blue outer parts called sepals. These sepals spread out or bend back. They have purple lines on them. Inside, there are three smaller, upright blue petals.

How People Use the Western Blue Flag

Native American tribes, especially those from the Northwest Plateau, used this plant. They used the roots to help with toothaches. Some tribes also made strong ropes from the stems and leaves.

The Navajo people used a special liquid made from this plant. They used it to help clean their bodies. The Zuni people would chew the root and make a soft, mashed-up plant material. They put this on newborns and babies. They believed it would help make the babies stronger.

This iris is sometimes considered a problem plant in farm areas. This is especially true in California. The plant tastes bitter and farm animals do not like to eat it. If there is a lot of this plant, it can be a bother in fields where animals graze. If animals eat too much grass, this iris can grow even more. This happens because the grass isn't there to compete with it.

People also grow this iris in many places around the world. It is popular in areas with a temperate climate.