Blue Flag

Iris versicolor has a deep blue to purple, rarely white flower. The spreading sepals have purple veins as they gradually narrow to a white base, with a pubescent, greenish yellow signal. Northern blue flag iris flowers in late spring on a compact two to four flowered inflorescence. The bluish-green leaves are wide arching, up to four feet long and arise from shallowly rooted, large, branching rhizomes forming clumps.

Iris versicolor is commonly found growing on lake shores, swamps, and wet meadows occasionally in shallow water.