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Yellow Flag Iris

Iris pseudacorus

Other Common Names

False Sweet Flag

Plant Category

Aquatic, Perennial

Invasive Description

Native to Eurasia and Africa, Yellow Flag Iris produces showy yellow flowers in the spring. Its bright green, sword-shaped, clumping foliage reaches up to 3 feet in height. It has been widely planted around the world as a showy garden or pond ornamental plant and has escaped cultivation.

Ecological Threat

Yellow Flag Iris is a large plant with strong competitive abilities. It forms dense colonies and impenetrable thickets in fresh or brackish water, displacing native species and altering habitat for animals. Its buoyant seeds spread long distances and can germinate even after an area burns. Rhizomes can survive prolonged droughts; small sections of rhizomes establish new plants. The iris has little wildlife value and is toxic to grazing animals. All parts of the plant are mildly poisonous.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions
Additional Replacement Options: Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica), Copper Iris (Iris fulva)