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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Iris tenax
Phenology Observation Sheet for Wildflowers and Herbs

COMMON NAME

Oregon wild iris

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Iris tenax

ALSO KNOWN AS

toughleaf iris, Oregon iris

Plant family

Iris (Iridaceae)

Plant group

Wildflowers and Herbs

Oregon wild iris is a slow growing perennial that spreads from branching rhizomes, often forming tight clumps, typically not exceeding 17" in height.
44 reports
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OBSERVERS
44+
OBSERVATIONS
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Identification hints

The slender leaves are often mistaken for grass when plant is not in bloom, but unlike grasses, irises are flat and fan shaped at the plant's base.
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Did you know?

The name "tenax" means "tough," referring to the strong and fibrous leaves of this plant, which indigenous people used for cordage.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
California , Oregon , Washington
HABITAT
Oregon wild iris can be found at low to middle elevation grasslands, forest openings, and even on roadsides.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Leaves are less than a 1/4" wide and up to 17 inches long, and grasslike in appearance.
Flowers
Solitary flowers are borne on 14" long slender flower stalks. Flowers are typically lavender blue or purple, however there are some occurrences of white, pink, and yellow blooms. the sepals (the outermost whorl of the flower) have a yellow or white blotch and have prominent dark venation.
Fruits
Fruit is an oblong three parted capsule, about 1-2" long, that opens to reveal many small seeds.
Bloom Time
Blooming mid to late spring.

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