Habit: upright stem sprouting from small rhizomes with few roots and forming small compact clumps. The basal yellow green leaves are evergreen, long and narrow with a pink to red base. The inflorescence is composed of 1-2 large showy flowers, with wide spreading pale yellow or creamy white sepals having prominent dark reddish brown veins with a splash of vivid yellow along the center and turning downwards. Petals are pale yellow with no markings. Fruit is a capsule triangular in cross section. Blooms between May and June.
Ecology: native to a small region in Southwestern Oregon and Northern California, found growing in sunny meadow openings or shady coniferous forests below 2500 ft (750 m).
Growing Conditions: partial shade in well-drained moist to semi dry soil.
The prominent veins serve as a signal patch to guide pollinators into the flower. Â Siskiyou iris is included in the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants.
