Iris versicolor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iris versicolor |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Iris
|
| Species: |
versicolor
|
The Iris versicolor is a pretty plant also known by many common names like the blue flag, harlequin blueflag, larger blue flag, northern blue flag, and poison flag. In places like Britain and Ireland, people sometimes call it the purple iris.
This plant is a type of Iris that grows naturally in North America, especially in the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada. You can often find it in wet places like grassy meadows, marshes, and along the edges of rivers and lakes. The scientific name versicolor means "variously coloured," which makes sense because its flowers can have different shades of blue and purple.
Contents
About the Blue Flag Iris
The Blue Flag Iris is a beautiful flowering plant that comes back year after year. It usually grows about 10 to 80 centimeters (4 to 32 inches) tall. It often grows in big groups from thick, underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes help the plant spread and form large patches.
The stems of the Blue Flag Iris stand up straight and have long, flat leaves that are more than 1 centimeter (about 0.4 inches) wide. These leaves are folded down the middle, making them look like a fan.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of the Blue Flag Iris are typically light to deep blue, but you might also see purple or violet ones. They usually bloom from May to July. Each flower has six parts that look like petals and sepals, spreading out almost flat. The longer sepal parts are smooth and have a greenish-yellow spot at their base.
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a fruit that is a three-part capsule with blunt angles. Inside, there are large seeds that can float, which helps them spread to new places, especially in the fall.
Important to Know: Safety
It's very important to know that both the leaves and the roots (rhizomes) of the Blue Flag Iris are poisonous. If humans or animals eat parts of this plant, it can cause upset stomachs and other problems. The sap from the plant can also cause skin irritation for some people. So, it's best to admire this plant from a distance and never try to eat any part of it.
Symbolism and Meaning
The Iris flower holds special meaning in a few places:
- State Flower of Tennessee: The Iris is the official state flower of Tennessee in the U.S. This was decided in 1933. Even though the law doesn't name a specific type of iris, people generally agree that the purple iris is the one meant.
- Provincial Flower of Quebec: The Blue Flag Iris is also the official provincial flower of Quebec, a province in Canada. It replaced the Madonna lily, which doesn't grow naturally there.
- Kappa Pi Fraternity: The Purple Iris is the official flower of Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity, a group for art students.
Gallery
-
Iris versicolor 'Blue Flag'
-
Iris versicolor
-
Iris versicolor - botanical illustration in American Medicinal Plants, 1887
_-_United_States_National_Arboretum_-_(1).jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Iris versicolor para niños
