# beach-head iris (*Iris hookeri*)

The beach-head iris is a beautiful flower that grows in sandy areas near the coast. Its bright purple petals can make any beach look more colorful and cheerful!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** Coastal areas

![beach-head iris](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Iris_hookeri_23589309.jpg&width=800)

Photo: John Brew, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iris_hookeri_23589309.jpg)

## Appearance

The beach-head iris has striking purple-blue flowers with white or yellow markings on its lower petals, called 'falls.' Its sword-like, grey-green leaves stand upright, forming a compact clump.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Asparagales
- **Family:** Iridaceae
- **Genus:** Iris

## Interesting facts

- Irises are named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow!
- Its petals are like landing strips for busy bees!
- Its seeds can float on ocean currents to find new homes!
- This iris helps create homes for tiny beach critters.

## Special abilities

- **Salt Spray Shield:** The beach-head iris can grow right by the ocean thanks to special glands that help it manage salty air.
- **Sand Anchor:** This iris has strong, spreading roots that grip sandy soil, helping to prevent erosion along coasts.
- **Water Wise:** It can thrive in both wet and relatively dry coastal spots, adapting to changing moisture levels.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-40 cm
- **Spread:** 20-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-7 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits its vibrant flowers for nectar.
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects pollen and nectar from its blooms.
- **Eaten by:** Gray Field Slug (*Deroceras reticulatum*) — Can sometimes feed on the iris's leaves.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers. They are important for nature and help animals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify beach-head iris?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is beach-head iris?

10-40 cm

### How wide does beach-head iris spread?

20-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on beach-head iris?

5-7 cm

### When does beach-head iris bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is beach-head iris edible?

No

### Is beach-head iris toxic?

Mild

### What is beach-head iris's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Illinois Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illinois-street-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District
- [Alaska SeaLife Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-sealife-center) — Alaska, US · Zoo
- [Parc national du Bic](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parc-national-du-bic) — Québec, CA · National Park

[View all places to see beach-head iris](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/beach-head-iris)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Beach-head Iris: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/beach-head-iris)