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Yellow flag

How to identify Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus)

Yellow flag, also known as Dragon flower, Paleyellow iris

Yellow flag displays an array of vibrant yellow flowers reaching heights of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) above the deep green blade-like leaves that stretch to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm). The foliage, prominent in wetland habitats, forms a striking upright clump as a perennial bulb. These features emerge in late spring, presenting a contrastingly bright display against its soft, marshy surroundings. The visual allure is characterized by the long, sword-shaped leaves, and the flowers' golden hues, each petal adorned with delicate veining.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Yellow flag

1

Vibrant yellow flowers reaching 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in height.

2

Sword-shaped leaves up to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) with parallel venation.

3

Distinctly shaped, dry 3-sided capsule measuring 1.5–3 inches (3.8–7.6 cm) in length.

4

Stout, upright stem reaching 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) with smooth, unbranched structure.

5

April to June blooming period with lance-shaped petals in fan-like distribution.

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Detailed Traits of Yellow flag

Leaf Features

The leaves of yellow flag are erect and sword-shaped, measuring up to 35 inches (90 cm) in length and 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide. They exhibit parallel venation and have smooth margins, presenting a streamlined, sleek appearance. The leaves are a vibrant green, contributing to the plant's overall aesthetic while providing a distinctive characteristic useful for identification.

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Flower Features

Yellow flag features striking, vibrant yellow flowers typically measuring 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) in diameter. Each stem can bear multiple blooms, which prominently display their elegant, lance-shaped petals arranged in a fan-like distribution. The flowers possess a delicate, understated fragrance and primarily bloom from April to June. This combination of vibrant color, notable petal structure, and blooming period are key characteristics that aid in the identification of yellow flag's flowers.

Yellow flag Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of yellow flag is stout and glabrous, showcasing a smooth texture without any hairiness. It is typically upright and robust, providing strong structural support. The stem can reach heights of up to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm). Its color ranges from light green to a darker, richer green. The stem of yellow flag lacks significant branching, presenting a simple, unbranched appearance that enhances its sturdy, pronounced form, crucial for identifying this species.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of yellow flag is a distinctly shaped, dry 3-sided capsule measuring approximately 1.5–3 inches (3.8–7.6 cm) in length. It houses numerous pale brown seeds, which are concealed within until maturity. The texture and color of the capsule are typically consistent with a mature seed pod, evolving from its flowering state to a hardened protective vessel for seed dispersal.

Yellow flag Fruit image
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Yellow flag and Their Similar Plants

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Blackberry lily vs. Yellow flag: What's The Difference?
Blackberry lily (Iris domestica) is a herbaceous perennial that grows from 61 to 91 cm tall. The leaves of the plant grow in fans, similar to those of a gladiolus. It is also called a leopard lily due to its big orange flowers. The blooms are showy and will blossom from summer to early fall. It needs full sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
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Northern blue flag iris vs. Yellow flag: What's The Difference?
The northern blue flag iris is considered a wetland species, which means it plants well near pond or lake edges, in water meadows, and near other water features. It can tolerate being in standing water that is less than 15 cm deep and can be completely submerged for a short time. The northern blue flag iris is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant that grows 10 to 79 cm high.
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Siberian iris vs. Yellow flag: What's The Difference?
Siberian iris is an exceptional beauty with its bluish-purple flower petals and long, strappy green foliage. Historically, this flower symbolized the royal families and monarchs. Despite its elegance, this plant possesses low toxicity characteristics that plant enthusiasts should nevertheless be mindful of.
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Roast-beef plant vs. Yellow flag: What's The Difference?
Roast-beef plant (Iris foetidissima), also known as stinking iris, is a perennial flowering plant of the iris family. Native to Europe, it got its common name for the smell of its leaves when crushed. Although the flower is pretty, the plant's red berry clusters are considered the most attractive aspect of the plant.
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Japanese Iris vs. Yellow flag: What's The Difference?
The japanese Iris is a flowering perennial aquatic plant in purple, blue, and white. Native to parts of Asia, it is easy to care for and grows well in wet conditions. This plant thrives in ponds and water features in full sun to partial shade.
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Netted iris vs. Yellow flag: What's The Difference?
Iris reticulata is prized as a hardy, early bloomer by many gardeners in the world. Native to Turkey, Russia, and the Caucasus, but cultivated worldwide, this dwarf netted iris blooms in late winter or early spring. The delicate-looking flowers of netted iris sometimes even emerge from the snow, but they're so hardy that they remain intact in snow and frost.
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Key Facts About Yellow flag

Attributes of Yellow flag
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
1 m to 1.5 m
Spread
60 cm to 90 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Yellow
Flower Size
7 cm to 10 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Fruit Color
Green
Stem Color
Green
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Scientific Classification of Yellow flag

Family
Iris
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Genus
Irises
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Species
Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus)
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Distribution Map of Yellow flag

Yellow flag is a widely distributed plant that is native to various regions across Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. Its natural habitats have expanded due to cultivation to other continents, including parts of Asia and South America. Although actively cultivated for its ornamental value, yellow flag is sometimes thought to be a competing species in certain areas outside its native range. In particular ecological zones such as in oceanic climates, yellow flag may have an impact on ecosystems, whereby it establishes presence in wetlands, potentially affecting local flora and fauna.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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