EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

7-13 September 2015

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Giant Blue Louisiana Iris of the Bayou

Giant Blue Louisiana Iris (Iris giganticaerulea), Family Iridaceae
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, Louisiana, USA

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation: Welcome to the hot humid bayou country of coastal Louisiana. Amidst the spiderlilies, baldcypresses, Spanish moss, pickerel weed, sensitive ferns, palmettos, and live oaks, rises this neon sign of blue and yellow ... the so-called giant blue Louisiana iris, also called the giant blue flag iris.

Found mainly in ... guess ... Louisiana, this beautiful perennial monocot grows as tall as 3-5 feet (0.9 - 1.5 meters). It is, not too surprising, Louisiana's state flower.

Next week's picture: Where There's Smoke ...

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