Iris cristata

Iris cristata dwarf crested iris

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA Add to MyPlants

A small (4-6 inch) tall iris variant with blue-purple sepals with a central purple-striped band of yellow or white.  The band is often "bearded" by crested ridges along the sides.  One or two flowers appear from March through May, each with three petals and three sepals on a short stalk.

Rare on wooded slopes with rich, acidic soils which are well-drained & in peat bogs and stream banks.  Prefers part to full shade.

Present in Green, Allegheny, Bedford, Fulton & York Cos.

Wetland code: Not classified

Flowers in April & May.

Flowers  pale blue-violet or white; 3 spreading or recurved outer sepals('falls') ; 3 upright petals('standards'); stamens at base of sepals covered by 3 petaloid stigma lobes

Leaves  narrow, sword-shaped; bright glossy green; 0.3-1″ wide, 2.5 - 10″ long

Stems  avg. 4″

Rhizome  branched, creeping

Height  4-6″

PA status: PE (Endangered)
S-rank:     S1 (Critically imperiled)
G-rank:     G5 (Secure)

Iris cristata dwarf crested iris

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA
Iris cristata gallery
Plant Life-Form
perennial forb
Common Names
dwarf crested iris