Bowltube iris

Iris macrosiphon is a flowering plant of the iris family that occurs in sunny grasslands, meadows, and open woodlands.

The flower is variable, golden yellow to cream or pale lavender to deep blue-purple, generally with darker veins. The leaves are blue-green. The flower stems are usually short (less than 25 cm) when in the sun and bear 2 flowers. It blooms in spring.

Distribution

I. macrosiphon occurs in California in the Cascade Range Foothills, north and central Sierra Nevada Foothills, Inner North Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area.

Cultivation

I. macrosiphon prefers dry summer dormancy, with good drainage.

Uses

Used as a source of fiber by Native Americans. The fiber was used for fish nets, deer snares and other items.

References

• Treatment from the Jepson Manual
• ITIS 43220
• Harlow, Nora, Jakob, Kristin, and Raiche, Roger (2003) Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses. University of California Press. ISBN 05202384904
• Fiber uses of Iris macrosiphon