Dwarf Crested Iris
Appearance and Habitat: This is a small iris, its clusters of narrow, pointed leaves ranging in height from only 4-16 in. The sepals of the its blue-violet flowers are distinctly marked with a central yellow or white, purple striped band. Crested ridges called beards occur along the band. One (occasionally 2) violet-blue flower with 6 spreading, petal-like parts, atop a short slender stalk. This is a low iris of southern and midwestern wooded uplands. Dwarf Iris (I. verna) has non-crested sepals, narrower leaves less than 1/2 (1.5 cm) wide, and occurs in peaty soil and pine barrens from New York south to Florida, west to Arkansas, and northeast to Missouri, Kentucky, and Ohio. (1) Rich woods, wooded bottoms and ravines and usually on calcareous soil (CaCO3). A perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from May to June.
Warning: same as Blue Flag
Edible Uses:
Root – used as a spice. Frequently chewed by local people to alleviate thirst. When first chewed the roots have a pleasant sweet taste, within a few minutes this changes to a burning sensation far more pungent than capsicums. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal Uses:
An ointment made from the roots is applied to cancerous ulcers. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of hepatitis.