April_2007

Dwarf Crested Iris
Iris cristata

Nothing says spring in Tennessee like this jewel of the vernal woodland. Found virtually over the entire
state, this ephemeral never fails to delight. The small plants are less than a foot tall and considerably
less when in bloom. The flowers are about 2 inches in diameter and are distinguished by the
orange-yellow areas marked by wavy ridges or crests on the sepals. The flower color varies from pale
blue to dark lavender. It is not uncommon to find large colonies of plants in older woodlands.