difference

This may seem a really dumb question but oh well here goes: What is the difference between irises and flags? Or is there one?

As I understand it, Anne, flags are wild irises. I'll be interested in watching your thread to see if that's correct.

well, I know that I've seen a lot of white ones in bar ditches or along highways. But I just assumed that they had either been washed to the sight or the highway had been put through someone's old home site. I have some purple plants that I've always assumed to be irises. But lately I've seen other ones that are so tall. My purple ones aren't that tall. So I'm wondering.
I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't misleading anyone in a trade when I called these plants Irises.

This message was edited May 4, 2007 11:11 PM

The word "flag" has been used to identify several different types of irises. In some geographic areas., historic tall beardeds and/or bearded species irises are commonly referred to as "flags". In other areas, "flags" refers to several different beardless iris species (versicolor, virginica, pseudacorus).

That's the problem with a generic, casual word like "flag". It means different things to different people in different geographic locations.

Laurie

My Mom called all iris "flags" I think of her when mine bloom and we have a windy day. : )

Yes, regional names can be so misleading. Here in TX, most call all Louisianas "flags". My wild purple "flags" are blooming in the pastures now.