Yellow Flag Iris

Iris pseudacorus

Family: Iridaceae

Other Common Names: yellow iris
Weed class: C
Year Listed: 2002
Native to: Europe, Great Britain, North Africa and the Mediterranean region.
Is this Weed Toxic?:

humans, livestock

Why Is It a Noxious Weed?

Yellow flag iris is an invasive ornamental perennial that is a problem in many states and other countries. It will sicken livestock if ingested and is generally avoided by herbivores. Contact with its resins can cause skin irritation in humans.

How would I identify it?

General Description

Yellow flag iris is a perennial, aquatic, herbaceous plant which grows 2 to 3 feet tall along shores in shallow water. Rhizomes spread and form large clumps.

Flower Description

Flowers few to several near stem ends. Flowers pale to dark yellow with brownish purple mottled markings. Flowers have 3 sepals and 3 petals, with petals shorter than sepals.

Leaf description

Stem and basal leaves present. Basal leaves are broad, flat, sword-shaped and stalkless. Stem leaves reduce in size going up the stem.

Stem description

Stems branched once and solid.

Fruit Seed Description

Capsules form from flowers, somewhat 3 angled and filled with flattened, D-shaped seeds.

Where does it grow?

Yellow flag grows in temperate wetlands along the margins of lakes and slow-moving rivers. It is most commonly found in very shallow water or mud. It tolerates drying and anoxic sediment and is also tolerant of some salinity, and high soil acidity. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of yellow flag iris in Washington.

How Does it Reproduce?

Yellow flag spreads by seeds and rhizomes. Up to several hundred flowering plants may be connected through rhizomes. Rhizome fragments can form new plants if they break off and drift to suitable habitat.

How Do I Control It?

Mechanical Control

If pulling or digging yellow flag care should be used to protect the skin as resins in the leaves and rhizomes can cause irritation. Because rhizome fragments can grow to form new plants, all rhizome fragments must be carefully removed.

Cultural Control

Seeds germinate and grow well after being burned in late summer. Also readily resprouts from rhizomes after burning.

Herbicide Control

It is best to cut the stems off, dispose of them properly, then apply the appropriate herbicide to the stump. Please refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook, or contact your county noxious weed coordinator.