Dwarf violet iris
Iris verna var. smalliana
Iridaceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower garden.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Rarely grown by native plant nurseries.
Description:
Perennial rhizomatous wildflower with stems 2-6 inches tall and 1-3 inch wide pale violet flowers. Leaves up to 14 inches long, and 2-5 inches wide.
Height:
Typically 6-12 inches in height.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Southeastern United States and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida.
Habitats:
Sandhills.
Soils:
Dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Light shade to full sun.
Flower Color:
Pale violet.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Mid April to mid May.
Fruit:
1 inch capsules with small brown seeds.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.