Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima
Photo: parent species Iris tenuissima · (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Iridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima is a native California herb in the Iridaceae family, recognized by cream flowers with purple veins and abruptly widening tube diagnostic.
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima is a native perennial found in northwestern California and northern Sierra Nevada foothills in dry, open woodland habitats at elevations of 100 to 1,700 meters. Flowering in May, this delicate iris produces pale cream flowers with distinctive purple to reddish veins creating an elegant, subtle color pattern. Growing with slender stems and narrow leaves 5 to 8 millimeters wide, it features 1 to 3 cauline leaves that closely resemble its basal leaves. Its leaves emerge in a graceful, linear form with a delicate structure typical of woodland iris species. The plant's outer bracts extend 6 to 9 centimeters, adding to its elegant botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; cream flowers with purple veins and abruptly widening tube diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open woodland, roadcuts
Elevation: 100-1700 m
California counties: Butte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Humboldt
Bloom period
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima blooms 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. tenuissima native to California?
Yes. Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima bloom?
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima blooms May.
Where in California does Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima grow?
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima occurs in Butte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Humboldt, at elevations of 100-1700 m.
What plant family does Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima belong to?
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima is in the Iridaceae family, genus Iris.
What habitat does Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima grow in?
Iris tenuissima subsp. tenuissima grows in Dry, open woodland, roadcuts.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.