Douglas Iris (Iris Dougaliana)

For a few weeks in May, many areas on Mt. Tamalpais explode in color, as Douglas Iris, Sticky Monkey Flower, French Broom, California Poppy and Chaparral Pea put on a dramatic display. The Eldridge Grade has a particularly intense display of Douglas Iris, with more flowers in bloom than I can count as I walk by.

January	April	July	October
Leaves always present
	Purple blooms	Brown flower husks

Field ID Tips

· Flower cream to purple, about 2.5” across.

· Blooms April to June

· One to three flowers on a stem, 6” – 18” tall.

· Leaves narrow and long, with parallel veins.

Links:

Cal Photos

Wikipedia

Mountain Home to West Point Flowers

Lovely Douglas iris.

During a relatively short peak time in May, the trails of Mount Tamalpais are lined with thousands of irises.

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