Flower profile

Dwarf lake iris

Iris lacustris

★ Official state wildflower of Michigan (1998)Native to Michigan

Dwarf lake iris is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Michigan it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

2states

590MI sightings*

986U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Michigan

🏅

Michigan's official state wildflower since 1998. Visit the Michigan page → ^{MCL 2.81 (Public Act 454 of 1998)}

Quick look

Iris lacustris, the dwarf lake iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, subgenus Limniris and in the section Lophiris. It is a rhizomatous, beardless perennial plant, native to the Great Lakes region of eastern North America. It has lavender blue or violet-blue flowers, a very short stem and long fan-like green leaves. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
From Wikipedia's article Iris lacustris, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Iridaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Michigan. ^NatureServe
In Michigan, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 590 research-grade sightings of it in Michigan, ranking #103 among the 111 flowers on our Michigan list. ^iNaturalist

Dwarf lake iris gift ideas

Handmade dwarf lake iris gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

In Michigan, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Michigan (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (189 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Threatened USFWS ECOS lists it as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G3 Vulnerable worldwide. ^NatureServe
Michigan: State threatened On Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023): state threatened. NatureServe: S3, vulnerable in Michigan. ^{R 299.1028}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: it's listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act; it's on Michigan's rare plant list (state threatened); NatureServe ranks it S3 in Michigan. ^{USFWS ECOS R 299.1028 NatureServe}

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Flag” (Iris species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Salivation, vomiting, drooling,lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in… ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records dwarf lake iris in 2 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Michigan, Wisconsin.

Michigan counties with USDA records: Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Delta, Emmet, Mackinac, Menominee, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft.

More Michigan flowers

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Ghost pipe

Monotropa uniflora

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Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

★ NY state flower🌷 Garden flower

🌼 Blooms in MI: May–July

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile IRLA.
iNaturalist, Iris lacustris: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Iris lacustris (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
MCL 2.81 (Public Act 454 of 1998): Michigan state wildflower.
Michigan: Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023).
Michigan: Michigan prohibited and restricted species (NREPA Part 413 and the 2026 Invasive Species Order), as listed by Michigan's Invasive Species Program.
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Iris lacustris (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: Derek via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.