Messenger of the Gods

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Meet Iris Versicolor - commonly known as Blue Flag Iris or Northern Iris, Harlequin Blue Flag, Larger Blue Flag, Poison Flag, plus other variations of these names.  Habitats include wet prairies, along rivers, wet woodlands, swamps, edges of ponds and streams and other low-lying areas along rail lines and roadsides.  It likes wet feet.  Where fire has been suppressed there remain some remnant populations in low woodland habitat.  

In Greek mythology iris is a personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods - thus explaining the wide range of colors of this member of the iris family.

It grows naturally along the banks of Silver Creek which runs thru our property.  It takes some work to use prescribed burns as a tool to manage the wildness.

Worth it.  Dontcha think...