Yellowleaf iris facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yellowleaf iris
Yellowleaf/Pacific Coast iris (Iris chrysophylla) from Phoenix Lake. Near Ross California
Conservation status
Apparently Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Iridaceae
Genus:	Iris
Subgenus:	Iris subg. Limniris
Section:	Iris sect. Limniris
Series:	Iris ser. Californicae
Species:	I. chrysophylla
Binomial name
Iris chrysophylla T.J.Howell
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The yellowleaf iris, also known as Iris chrysophylla, is a beautiful wildflower found in parts of Oregon and California. This plant grows in the western areas of Oregon, especially west of the Cascades mountains. It also grows south into northern California, reaching the Siskiyou Mountains. You can often find the yellowleaf iris in open, pine-like forests. It likes to grow in places up to about 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) high.

What Does the Yellowleaf Iris Look Like?

The yellowleaf iris is a type of perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years, coming back each spring. It grows from special underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes are thin, dark brown, and help the plant spread.

Leaves and Stems

The leaves of the yellowleaf iris are long and thin, like blades of grass. They have fine ribs and are a light green color. These leaves can grow to be 25 to 50 centimeters (about 10 to 20 inches) long. Sometimes, the bottom part of the leaves near the ground can look a bit reddish. The stems that hold the flowers are simple and slender. They are usually 3 to 20 centimeters (about 1 to 8 inches) tall.

Flowers

The flowers of the yellowleaf iris are a lovely cream or pale yellow color. They often have pretty veins that are dark gold, reddish-brown, or even lavender. These flowers usually bloom in the spring, from April through June.