Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

PRAIRIE IRID

File Size: 42 KB

Nemastylis geminiflora Nutt.

Neosho County, Kansas

Perennial

Height: 5-20 inches

Family: Iridaceae - Iris Family

Flowering Period: April, May

Also Called:

Prairie iris, prairie celestial lily.

Stems:

Erect, sturdy, round; from spherical bulb, .6 to 1.2 inch in diameter, dark, scaly.

Leaves:

1-4, grass-like, linear to sword-shaped, 5-18 inches long, 1/8 to 2/5 inch wide, folded together lengthwise, prominent ribs and furrows, tip pointed, 1 blade often exceeding inflorescence.

Inflorescences:

1-3 flowers, terminal on slender ascending branches; spathe bracts 2, nearly equal.

Flowers:

1.6 to 2.8 inches across; perianth segments 6, similar, in 2 series, spreading, .8 to 1.4 inch long, blue, base lighter; stamens 3, opposite inner perianth segments, anthers oblong, 2/5 to 1/2 inch long, filaments short, thickened, united at base; styles 3, each divided into 2 threadlike branches, stigmas tiny, spherical.

Fruits:

Capsule, egg-shaped, .6 to 1 inch long, .4 to .6 inch wide; seeds numerous, 1/6 inch long, rust-colored.

Habitat:

Moist to dry prairies and open oak woods; limestone or chalk soils.

Distribution:

Southeast 1/4 of Kansas.

Comments:

Each flower lasts only a day. The flowers usually open in the morning and close before sunset. The perianth segments curl by mid-afternoon.

Prairie irid flower