Iris munzii
Rare California-endemic iris of the Sierra Nevada foothills in Tulare County with light purple-blue flowers and darker veining, producing 3–4 blooms per stem, a drought-tolerant rhizomatous perennial inhabiting dry-to-moist, partially wooded slopes at 305–800 m, listed as California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3 with global rank G2 and state rank S2.
Common Names
Munz's Iris, Tulare Lavender Iris, Munzi's Iris
Summary
Munz's iris, Tulare lavender iris, is a rhizomatous perennial native to California, restricted to the Sierra Nevada foothills in Tulare County. It forms large clumps from branching rhizomes, reaching about 2–3 ft tall and wide, and grows on dry to moist, partially wooded slopes under blue oak woodlands. Inflorescences carry 3–4 flowers per stem, with pale lavender to purple petals veined in a darker shade, and blooms attract hummingbirds.
In cultivation, it prefers sun to part shade with well-drained soil and regular to low water, becoming drought-tolerant once established; typical landscape uses include rock gardens and edging, and it can function as a cut flower; conservation status is California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3 and global rank G2, reflecting its rarity and endemic nature in California; zones 9b–10b are appropriate for cultivation.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1-2 feet
Spread
1-2 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8-10b
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Bloom Color
Blue to purple, including lavender and pale blue
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Blue-Green, Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous, Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Moderate
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts hummingbirds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- R.C.Foster
- Publication
- Iridis Sp. Nov. : 2 (1938)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Genus
- Iris