Iris missouriensis
Rocky mountain iris
Iris missouriensis, commonly known as the Blue Flag Iris, is a striking perennial native to Western North America. Renowned for its vivid blue-to-violet blooms, this hardy plant thrives in moist meadows and wetlands. Beyond its ornamental beauty, it holds historical significance in various traditional ecological practices across its range.
- Scientific name: Iris missouriensis
- Family: Iridaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales and the family Iridaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Iris.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Iridaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Iris | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Iris missouriensis, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In German, it is referred to as the Rocky-Mountain-Schwertlilie, while in Navajo, it is called Nteelbitʼąąłánígíí. Its names in other languages include زنبق میزوری in Persian, ايريس ميسوريينسيس in Arabic, and 密苏里鸢尾 in Chinese.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Rocky-Mountain-Schwertlilie | Wikidata |
| nv | Nteelbitʼąąłánígíí | Wikidata |
| fa | زنبق میزوری | Wikidata |
| arz | ايريس ميسوريينسيس | Wikidata |
| zh | 密苏里鸢尾 | Wikidata |
| en | Rocky Mountain iris | Wikidata |
| en | western blue flag | Wikidata |
| en | Missouri flag | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Iris missouriensis, exhibits a specific range across North America. In Western Canada, its presence is documented within the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Moving into the Northwestern United States, the species can be found growing in the state of Idaho. It also maintains a significant distribution throughout the mountainous regions of Montana. Furthermore, its geographical reach extends southward into the state of Colorado.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Canada | Alberta | WCVP |
| Western Canada | British Columbia | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Colorado | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Idaho | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Montana | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Oregon | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Washington | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Wyoming | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Nebraska | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | South Dakota | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the western blue flag, utilizes its roots as a vital component for both its survival and its historical medicinal application. The plant features thick, fleshy rhizomes that grow horizontally underground, serving as a storage organ for nutrients and water. In traditional herbal practices, these rhizomatous roots were often harvested and prepared for their purported therapeutic properties, although they must be used with caution due to their potent chemical composition.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Iris missouriensis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-hydroxy-3-octadecyl-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, 5-hydroxy-2'-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxy isoflavone, deoxyirisoquin, irisone A, irisone B.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2-hydroxy-3-octadecyl-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxy-2'-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxy isoflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| deoxyirisoquin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| irisone A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| irisone B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| irisoquin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iso-iridogermanal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zeorin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Iris missouriensis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |