The Louisiana Iris Species

The core Louisiana iris species are wild plants that evolved naturally without human intervention and are recognized by their defining botanical characteristics. While five species are widely included in the group, taxonomists and geneticists occasionally debate the exact boundaries of the series. No state hosts more than two of these species except Louisiana, where four occur naturally: Iris fulva, I. giganticaerulea, I. brevicaulis, and I. nelsonii.

This site will emphasize the Louisiana natives, with pages on the East Coast species added later. Iris hexagona—the first species ever described in this group—was named in 1788 from a specimen collected in South Carolina. A sixth species, Iris savannarum, also native to the southeastern coastal plain and especially common in South Florida, is increasingly recognized in modern treatments.

Core Characteristics and Natural Variation

Each species has its own unique and defining traits, yet individual plants within a species can vary widely in color, form, and other features. The images above illustrate the remarkable range in flower color  that occurs in nature.

Individual pages will be devoted to each naturally occurring species. Because all members of the group are cross‑fertile, the diversity within and among species forms the foundation for the wide array of hybrids seen in gardens today. A separate section will cover hybrids, both natural and human‑made. The main menu section, The Irises, introduces the characteristics shared by all Louisiana irises.

The buttons below will take you directly to the species pages.