''Iris fernaldii'', commonly known as Fernald's iris, is a species of
iris endemic to western
Northern California
Northern California (colloquially known as NorCal) is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. Spanning the state's northernmost 48 counties, its main population centers incl ...
.
It is native to the Inner and Outer North
California Coast Ranges, such as the
Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central and Northern California, United States. They form a ridge down the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco. They separate the Pacific Ocean from ...
, and surrounding the
San Francisco Bay Area. It is found between in elevation. It grows in full sun near the coast, and afternoon shade inland.
Fernald's are no longer found in pure form in Marin County, however; they have naturally hybridized with Douglas iris in this area.
Description
''Iris fernaldii'' spreads by underground
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...
s. It has leaves that are gray-green with pink, red, or purple coloring along their edges and bases. The plants grow to tall
The gray-veined yellow flowers usually grow paired on a stem. The color ranges from creamy white or a rich to pale yellow, and rarely light lavender.
Cultivation
''Iris fernaldii'' is cultivated as an
ornamental plant by specialty
plant nurseries. It is used in traditional flower beds,
native plant and
habitat garden
A wildlife garden (or wild garden) is an environment created by a gardener that serves as a sustainable haven for surrounding wildlife. Wildlife gardens contain a variety of habitats that cater to native and local plants, birds, amphibians, ...
s,
drought tolerant and
natural landscaping, and for
habitat restoration projects. Occasional summer irrigation is needed in warmer climates.
Las Pilitas Nursery horticulture database: ''Iris fernaldii'' (Fernald's iris)
/ref>
See also
* List of California native plants
* Endemic flora of California
References
External links
CalFlora Database: ''Iris fernaldii'' (Fernald's iris)Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of ''Iris fernaldii''USDA Plants Profile for ''Iris fernaldii'' (Fernald's iris)Flora of North AmericaU.C. Photos Gallery — ''Iris fernaldii'' (Fernald's iris)
*http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/spcni_photojournals/pj_marinsantacruziris.html Marin and Santa Cruz Iris hybrids
{{Taxonbar, from=Q6070351
fernaldii
Endemic flora of California
Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
Garden plants of North America
Flora without expected TNC conservation status