Carried by 4 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Iris tenax is a species of Iris native to southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon. It is known as the Tough-leaved Iris or Oregon Iris. It occurs along roadsides and in grasslands and forest openings at low to middle elevations. One subspecies is also known from northern California. Like most irises, it has large and showy flowers. The flowers bloom in mid to late spring and are usually lavender-blue to purple, but blooms in white, yellow, pink, and orchid shades are known to sometimes occur. The leaves are very slender for an iris, seldom over 5 millimeter broad; the plant is often mistaken for a type of grass when not in bloom. Its rhizomes spread slowly, causing the plant to grow in a tight clump.
Perennial herb, Geophyte
10 - 18 in Tall
Upright
Moderate
Purple, Lavender, Blue
Spring
Groundcover, Deer resistant
Deep Shade, Partial Shade
Low
Moderate
Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.
mixedevergreen s
Yellow Pine Forest
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 1 likely
Verbena Bud Moth
Endothenia hebesana