L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132305
Element CodePMIRI09160
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilyIridaceae
GenusIris
Other Common Namesharlequin blueflag (EN) Iris versicolore (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-08
Change Date1984-06-06
Edition Date2025-08-08
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsIris versicolor is a perennial forb occurring in mashes. bogs, fens, swamps, along shorelines, roadsides, and mountain habitats of eastern North America, from Manitoba east to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, south to Maine, Virginia, west to Ohio and Minnesota in the United States, and introduced in Europe and West Himalaya. There are over 2,000 estimated occurrences of this species in its native range, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, large number of occurrences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Iris versicolor is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsThe native range of Iris versicolor is in eastern North America, from Manitoba east to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, south to Maine, Virginia, west to Ohio and Minnesota, and also disjunct in Idaho in the United States (FNA 2002, CPNWH 2025). It is also introduced in Europe and West Himalaya (POWO 2025).The native range extent was estimated to be over 4 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 2,000 occurrences in its native range (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). However, this genus is commonly cultivated, and iNaturalist observations (>22,000) were not evaluated for evidence of cultivation (iNaturalist 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Iris versicolor is likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species. However, they are considered negligible given the broad range and large number of occurrences of the species, its somewhat flexible and abundant habitat, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.