Wildflowers of the United States

Home Journal Family Index - All States Photo Albums News About Privacy

Yellow Flag Iris, Paleyellow Iris, Yellow Iris, Water Flag - Iris pseudacorus


Family: Iridaceae - Iris family Genus Common Name: Iris Native Status: IntroducedMonocot Perennial Herb
Iris pseudacorus - Yellow Flag Iris, Paleyellow Iris, Yellow Iris, Water Flag. Iris pseudacorus is a species brought in from Europe as a decorative plant for its attractive yellow flowers, escaped, and has established itself well in wet areas throughout much of North America. Think cattails for the habitat in which it grows. It has been used as a plant in natural sewage treatment since it can remove metals from waste water. Its propagation is restricted as an invasive weed in a number of states ranging from Massachusetts to Washington and California.

Found in:
AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Iris pseudacorus

Distribution of Iris pseudacorus in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

Search Our Database: Enter any portion of the Scientific, Common Name, or both.
Scientific name:
Common name:

Example: Enter "lob" in the common name field and you'll get all our species that have "lobelia" in the common name, as well as "sharp-lobed hepatica".

Do a general Google search of the entire site:


#ad

Follow on Twitter
Follow USWildflowers on Twitter



Site: Boise Irrigation Canal, Ada County, ID Date: 2010-June-08Photographer: Cindy Williamson
Nikon D40
The lovely flowers of Yellow Iris are large and showy. This is the only yellow Iris in the United States.
Iris pseudacorus
Site: Boise RIver, Ada County, ID Date: 2011-June-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
This is typical Iris pseudacorus habitat - the edge of ponds, marshes, and other waterways. Although it prefers wet habitat, it is drought tolerant and the roots can survive for months without water. Yellow Flag will grow in dense clumps, spreading vegetatively by rhizomes and sexually via seeds. Both the leaves and the flowering stalk can be up to 4 feet tall.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Iris pseudacorus
References used for identification and information:
#ad
Iris pseudacorus initially published on USWildflowers.com 2012-11-27; Updated 2015-06-24

Commercial / Cookie Notice

Looking for Wildflowers for a specific state? Check here:



All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302