''Iris verna'', the dwarf violet iris, is a species of flowering plant in the iris family (
Iridaceae).
It is
endemic to the eastern United States from
Maryland to
Florida along the
Atlantic Coast, west to
Mississippi, and inland to
Kentucky,
Tennessee, and
Ohio.
[ It occurs in nutrient-poor acidic soils of open to semi-shaded woodlands.][''Iris verna'']
Flora of North America
Description
''Iris verna'' is a small herbaceous, perennial flowering plant. It forms colonies through its deeply-buried underground rhizomes. It blooms in spring and generally has light to deep blue or violet inflorescence, although rare white forms are known. The sepals have a golden yellow signal.
It can be distinguished from the similar-looking ''Iris cristata
''Iris cristata'' (also known as dwarf crested iris and crested iris) is a species in the genus ''Iris'', it is also in the subgenus of '' Limniris''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, endemic to the eastern United States. It has pale lavend ...
'', which occurs over much of its range, by a number of characters. ''Iris verna'' lacks the crested ridges that are found on the sepals of ''Iris cristata'', and its flowers are strongly fragrant (''Iris cristata'' is not strongly fragrant). In addition, the leaves of ''Iris verna'' are narrower and straighter than those of ''Iris cristata'', and it has rhizomes that are deeply buried (as opposed to the shallow rhizomes of ''Iris cristata'').
Taxonomy
Two varieties are recognized:[
*''Iris verna'' var. ''smalliana'' – More widespread, although most common in mountainous areas; strongly clump forming, and with wider leaves.
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15296151
verna
Endemic flora of the United States
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Flora without expected TNC conservation status