FNPS Plant Database

Iris savannarum

prairie iris, savanna iris
  • 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

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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

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

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.

Citations:

Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


U.S. Forest Service. (Undated) About Our Native Irises. ( https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/iris/about.shtml ). Accessed 2026.


Wikipedia. (2014-2025). Iris savannarum. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_savannarum ). Accessed 2026.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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