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White Irisette in NCWhite Irisette in North Carolina

White Irisette
Sisyrinchium dichotomum

Status:  Endangered

Family:  Iris

Flowering/Fruiting Dates:  Late May - July

Habitat:  Rich, basic soils probably weathered from amphibolite, in clearings and the edges of upland woods where the canopy is thin and often where downslope runoff has removed much of the deep litter layer ordinarily present on these sites.

Distinguishing Characteristics:   Grows in a dichotomously-branching pattern. 4-8 inches tall; basal leaves are pale bluish-green: tiny white flowers (.3 inch) with reflexed petals in a cluster of 4-6 at the ends of winged stems; fruit is round w/3-6 seeds. White flowers and dichotomous branching pattern distinguish it from similar species.

Threats:  Highway and powerline maintenance and improvement; residential development; exotic weed species.

Species Distribution from known occurrences. Species may occur in similar habitats in other counties.Green counties indicate observed within 20 years. Yellow counties indicate an obscure data reference to the species in the county. Red counties indicate observed more than 20 years ago.

Species location of White Irisette in NC

Species Location Map based on information provided by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
For additional information regarding this Web page, contact Carolyn Wells, in Asheville, NC, at carolyn_wells@fws.gov

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