By Patrick O’Connor
Woodlands Conservancy in Belle Chasse recently received a donation of Iris fulva from the Greater New Orleans Iris Society (GNOIS) and Steve Fedele with the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative (LICI).
On November 15, volunteers planted the irises by a bridge over a swale, with the event led by Gary Salathe (LICI), Patrick O’Connor (GNOIS), and Amy Stone (Woodlands Conservancy).
Most of the irises were donated by Steve Fedele. GNOIS contributed rare color forms from the Society for Louisiana Irises Species Preservation Project collection.
Iris fulva is one of four Louisiana iris species native to the state. It grows in alluvial soils along rivers, bayous, and streams, reaching as far north as Southern Illinois, with its greatest abundance in Louisiana’s wetlands. Fulvas are generally red or reddish orange, but rare yellows occur, as seen in the pictures of the fulvas donated by GNOIS.
This planting helps preserve a species native to the natural habitat maintained by the Woodlands Conservancy.
