Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)

Iris Family (Iridaceae)
Dwarf crested iris is a low-growing, rhizomatous, perennial herb, reaching 6-10 inches tall. Can spread quickly and form dense colonies. The yellowish-green to green leaves are narrowly lance-shaped and arise from the shallowly rooted, creeping rhizomes. There are 2-3 leaves on the short stems, but they are much reduced. Borne on very short stems, the pale blue to white to lilac to lavender to blue-violet iris flowers are distinctly marked with a central yellow or white, purple-striped band with 3 parallel, toothed, crested ridges on the sepals. Flowers in the spring. Fruit is an oval, sharply triangular capsule. Found in the eastern US, it occurs mainly in wooded uplands, rocky wooded slopes, ravines, bluffs, and stream banks. Best grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils in partial shade. Flowers attracts hummingbirds and bees. Also known as crested iris.

Listed as endangered in MD and PA.