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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Iris cristata

Dwarf Crested Iris

Scientific Name:

Iris cristata

Genus:

Iris

Species Epithet:

cristata

Common Name:

Dwarf Crested Iris

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Purple, Violet

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Moist forests, rich woods, roadbanks, streambanks (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont; rare in the Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Plants in Bloom

image

Tom Harville's garden, April 2004
© Tom Harville

Closeup of Bloom

The white variety! (Iris cristata var. alba)

image

Tom Harville's garden, April 2004
© Tom Harville

More Plants in Bloom

image

© Jean Woods

Another Closeup of Bloom

image

Tom Harville's garden
© Tom Harville

I. cristata - I. verna Comparison

imageimage

David McAdoo

Close-up of flower sepals showing the characteristic hairy yellow crest. I. verna also has a yellow band but this band is much larger and smooth.

Garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Iris cristata. You will likely hear them called Dwarf Crested Iris. This picture shows the Close-up of flower sepals showing the characteristic hairy yellow crest.  I. verna also has a yellow band  but this band is much larger and  smooth.  of Iris cristata

Bettina Darveaux

A large grouping makes for a spectacular sight in the garden.

Orange County, NC, cultivated

The Scientific Name is Iris cristata. You will likely hear them called Dwarf Crested Iris. This picture shows the A large grouping makes for a spectacular sight in the garden. of Iris cristata

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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