Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

prairie iris, savanna iris

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Iris savannarum

Family:

Iridaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

3-4 ft tall by 0.5-1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,purple,lavender

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Blooms in spring. Fruits ripen by summer.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Moist wildflower garden. Sometimes grown under the drain for an air conditioner. Excellent as a wetland edge flower.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Division of roots.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attracts bees esp. bumblebees.

Native Habitats:

Marshes, wet prairie, dome swamps, riverine swamps in openings.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This iris and I. hexagona were considered to be a single species until recently.  I. savannarum is the most common iris species in Florida.