Hartweg's iris is a simple-stemmed rhizomatous perennial with 1-several narrow, linear leaves that are sheathed and usually pinkish at the base and 1/8" to 5/16" wide. The showy flowers are blue to purplish-violet, both sepals and petals to 2-1/4" long. The perianth tube is about 1/2" long and is made up of 6 segments, the three inner ones are erect and are the petals, the three outer broader and spreading and are the sepals.  Hartweg's iris, or wild iris as it is sometimes called, is a common inhabitant of dry woods from 5000' to 7500', and may be found in yellow pine forest in the San Bernardino Mts and to a lesser extent in the San Gabriels and San Jacintos.  It blooms from May to June.

Click here for Latin name derivations: 1) Iris 2) hartwegii 3) australis.
Pronunciation: EYE-ris hart-WEG-ee-eye aw-STRAY-lis.
Click here for Botanical Term Meanings.