Jepson Herbarium
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[(Annual), shrub], perennial herb generally from [ bulb], corm, or rhizome.
Stem: generally erect, generally ± round in ×-section.
Leaf: generally basal (few cauline), 2-ranked, ± sword-shaped, blade edge-wise to stem, with midvein or not; bases overlapped, sheathing.
Inflorescence: generally ± terminal; spikes, umbel-like cymes, or flowers 1; flowers in spikes or 1 subtended by 2 subopposite flower bracts; umbel-like cymes enclosed by 2 subopposite, generally large, leaf-like inflorescence bracts, including various flower bracts.
Flower: bisexual ( unisexual), radial, with stamens erect, enclosing style, or bilateral, with stamens, style to 1 side, stamens not enclosing style; perianth radial, parts free or generally fused into tube above ovary, generally petal-like, in 2 series of 3, outer ± like inner (or not, in Iris, parts in that genus called sepals, petals), upper ± like lower or not; stamens 3, attached at base of outer 3 perianth parts or in tube, generally free; ovary inferior [(superior)], [(1)]3-chambered, placentas axile [( parietal)], style 1, branches 3, entire to 2-branched, thread- or petal-like with stigma abaxial, proximal to tip.
Fruit: capsule, loculicidal.
Seed: few to many.
± 65 genera, ± 2050 species: worldwide, especially Africa; many cultivated (e.g., Crocus, Dietes, Freesia, Gladiolus, Iris, Sisyrinchium). [Goldblatt & Manning 2008 The Iris Family: Natural History and Classification. Timber Press] Gladiolus italicus Mill., Gladiolus tristis L. are urban weeds. Sparaxis grandiflora (D. Delaroche) Ker Gawl., Sparaxis tricolor (Schneev.) Ker Gawl. are waifs. —Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.

Key to Iridaceae

Rhizome [ bulbs, fleshy roots].
Leaf: 2-ranked in basal fan; cauline 0–few, reduced, often bract-like, without development of distal portion.
Inflorescence: ± flat cyme, flowers 1–many.
Flower: perianth parts ± clawed; sepals generally wider than petals, spreading or reflexed, occasionally with white area in basal 3/4, this generally with smaller yellow area; petals erect; stamens free [(not)]; ovary inferior, style branches petal-like [(not)], arched over stamens, each with scale-like flap (with stigmas on inner surface) opposite stamen and just below 2-lobed tip (crest), with sepals forming 3, 2-lipped units [(not)].
Fruit: loculicidal capsule, rounded or triangular, chambers 3.
Seed: generally compressed, pitted, light to dark brown (red).
± 160 species: generally n temperate. (Greek: rainbow, from flower colors) [Wilson 2003 Syst Bot 28:39–46] Hybrids between some sympatric species; Iris germanica only sp. in CA with bearded sepals.
Unabridged references: [Lenz 1958 Aliso 4:1–72; Clarkson 1959 Madroño 15:115–122]

Rhizome 4–6 mm diam.
Stem: unbranched, 10–25 cm.
Leaf: basal 3–4 mm wide, base generally green; cauline 1–3, bract-like basally, leaf-like near stem tip.
Inflorescence: flowers 1(2); lowest 2 bracts opposite, enclosing perianth tube, outer 3–8 cm, 9–18 mm wide.
Flower: perianth pale lavender to violet purple or occasionally white to gray, tube 17–26 mm, funnel-shaped; sepals 4–7 cm, 15–30 mm wide, obovate; petals 3–6 cm, 8–18 mm wide, obovate; ovary triangular, style branches 30–48 mm, crests 9–13 mm, stigmas triangular.
Common. Grassy slopes in part shade on forest edge; 90–600 m. n North Coast, Klamath Ranges (Del Norte Co.);

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Citation for the whole project: Jepson Flora Project (eds.) [year] Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html [accessed on month, day, year]
Citation for an individual treatment: [Author of taxon treatment] [year]. [Taxon name] in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, [URL for treatment]. Accessed on [month, day, year].

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Bioregions in which taxon occurs	Red area (if present) is the part of the bioregion lying between the upper and lower elevation limits of the taxon; markers link to CCH specimen records. If the markers are obscured, reload the page [or change window size and reload]. Yellow markers indicate records that may have georeferencing or identification issues.
Chart based on elevation range in Manual and elevations and coordinates of CCH records. Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria. Note: About half of the CCH records include both elevation and coordinates.	Map made in collaboration with Scott Loarie. Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria. View all CCH records   CCH collections by month Duplicates counted once; synonyms included. Species do not include records of infraspecific taxa. Blue line denotes Manual flowering time.