Bloomipedia
Dwarf iris (Iris verna)
Photo: Joey Parsons via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Dwarf iris

Iris verna

Native in the lower 48

Dwarf iris is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.

16states
2of our state lists
4,033U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alabama, South Carolina

Quick look

Iris verna, the dwarf violet iris or upland dwarf iris, is a species of flowering plant in the iris family (Iridaceae). It is endemic to the eastern United States from Maryland to Florida along the Atlantic Coast, west to Mississippi, and inland to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. It occurs in nutrient-poor acidic soils of open to semi-shaded woodlands.

  • It belongs to the Iridaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 16 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Alabama and South Carolina. NatureServe
  • In Alabama, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–April. iNaturalist
  • In South Carolina, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–April. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 724 research-grade sightings of it in Alabama, ranking #79 among the 111 flowers on our Alabama list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 411 research-grade sightings of it in South Carolina, ranking #94 among the 111 flowers on our South Carolina list. iNaturalist

Dwarf iris gift ideas

Handmade dwarf iris gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (544 records)
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
AlabamaNativeMarch–April724
South CarolinaNativeMarch–April411

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Alabama
No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alabama.
South Carolina
No list South Carolina has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's South Carolina ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Carolina.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AR (S2), DC (SH), MD (S1), OH (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: roots, sap/juice. Symptoms they list: “Salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes. Can be toxic to cattle if ingested.” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Flag” (Iris species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Salivation, vomiting, drooling,lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records dwarf iris in 16 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia; District of Columbia.

Alabama counties with USDA records: Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Calhoun, Clarke, Cleburne, Conecuh, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Mobile, Pike, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington, Winston.

South Carolina counties with USDA records: Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Horry, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg.

More Alabama flowers

Blue pigroot (Sisyrinchium micranthum)

Blue pigroot

Sisyrinchium micranthum

🌼 Blooms in AL: March–May
Southern blue flag (Iris virginica)

Southern blue flag

Iris virginica

Native

🌼 Blooms: March–June
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

American beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in AL: May–July

Sources