Oregon Iris | Iris tenax - Benton Soil And Water Conservation District

Oregon Iris | Iris tenax

A vibrant purple iris flower stands out among green grass and multiple plant seedlings in a sunlight-filled garden.

Oregon iris plants in a grassy meadow

A vibrant purple iris flower in a garden setting, surrounded by greenery and potted plants.

A close up of an Oregon iris plant.

The image shows a hand holding a plant seed pod split open, revealing several brown seeds inside.

Oregon iris seed pod with seeds in it. Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

Showy perennial plant that grows up to 1.5′ tall with long narrow grass-like leaves that are pinkish-red at the base and light green above. Flowers range from pale purple to white to creamy yellow. Natives used leaves for rope making. Also called Toughleaf Iris.

Plant Details

Habitats	Upland Prairie and Savanna, Riparian Forests, Bottomland Forests, Mixed Hardwood-Conifer Forest or Woodland
Habitat Notes	Meadows, pastures
Phenology	Perennial; flowering March-July
Mature Height	Up to 2 feet
Shade Preference	Full sun
Soil Tolerance	Dry soils
Special Uses	Attracts insects, bees, and butterflies; deer resistant

A close-up of a bee collecting nectar from delicate pink flowers, showcasing nature's pollination process.

Native Plant Database

We have a large searchable database of plants that are native to the Willamette Valley and other parts of Benton County. View images and filter the list by plant characteristics

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A scenic view of a vibrant field of purple flowers, a rustic barn, green hills, and a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Upland Prairie and Savanna

Upland prairies or open grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in Oregon. Historically, they occurred across the Willamette Valley and are vegetated by perennial grasses and annual or…

A lush green riparian forest with tall red alder trees and a rocky stream running through it.

Riparian Forests

Riparian areas are defined by NRCS as ecosystems that occur along waterways and water bodies. They serve as the transition between aquatic and terrestrial zones.

Bottomland Forests

Bottomland forests are generally used to describe forests which are comprised of both hardwood and softwood tree species that occur on low-elevation, alluvial floodplains or lower terraces of rivers…

A dense forest with tall trees and lush green undergrowth.

Mixed Hardwood-Conifer Forest or Woodland

Mixed hardwoods and conifers characterize this habitat which is widespread in western Oregon in the medium elevations of the hills of the Coast Range. Precipitation is higher in this habitat than in…