Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis
Photo: parent species Iris tenuissima · (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Iridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis is a native California herb in the Iridaceae family, recognized by inflated pink-flushed bracts diagnostic.
Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis is a California native perennial found in the high mountain regions in shaded rocky slopes and yellow-pine forests at elevations of 500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale yellow or cream-colored flowers with delicate pale or reddish veins. Growing with slender stems up to 30 to 45 centimeters tall, it has distinctive bract-like cauline leaves that are slightly inflated and often flushed with pink. Its basal leaves are narrow, measuring 3 to 5 millimeters wide, while the cauline leaves are bract-like and typically 3 to 4 in number. The outer bracts of the plant are notable, measuring 4 to 5.6 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; inflated pink-flushed bracts diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Shaded rocky slopes, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 500-2000 m
Bloom period
Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Dietes: Iris has broad petal-like style branches; Dietes has thread-like styles and flowers lasting only one day.; vs Canna: Iris has six-parted flowers with drooping sepals; Canna has asymmetric flowers with one petal-like stamen.; vs Hemerocallis: Iris has petal-like style branches opposite stamens; Hemerocallis has simple thread-like styles and six equal tepals.; vs Typha: Iris has showy six-parted flowers; Typha has dense brown cylindrical flower spikes (cattails).; vs Sisyrinchium: Iris has large flowers with drooping outer sepals; Sisyrinchium has small flat flowers with six equal tepals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis native to California?
Yes. Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis bloom?
Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis belong to?
Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis is in the Iridaceae family, genus Iris.
What habitat does Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis grow in?
Iris tenuissima subsp. purdyiformis grows in Uncommon. Shaded rocky slopes, yellow-pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.