Species
Iris innominata
Etymology
Iris: From the Greek iris 'rainbow', presumably in reference to the many colours of the flowers (Johnson and Smith, 1986).
Common Name(s)
Del Norte iris; Pacific Coast iris (see 'notes' below)
Authority
Iris innominata L.F.Henderson
Family
Iridaceae
Brief Description
Tufted evergreen iris with short woody rhizomes. Flower colour highly variable in cultivation, partly the result of hybridisation with other Pacific Coast irises. Two flowers per culm.
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Monocotyledonous Herbs
Distribution
Widely cultivated in NZ, perhaps less so now than formerly; seedlings common among and near planted specimens
Habitat
Full sun; well-drained soils
Year Naturalised
2010
Origin
southern Oregon, and California
Reason for Introduction
Ornamental
Notes on common names
Del Norte Iris may apply to plants from from just one location in California; 'Pacific iris' applies to several species
Attribution
Prepared for NZPCN by Colin Ogle.
This page last updated on 27 Oct 2019