Floral Axis

This captivating piece captures the striking bloom of the wild Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana). The blooms of this primarily coastal native can range from blue, violet, and purple to occasionally white or cream-colored. The distinctive flowers consist of six petals in total, arranged in a three-fold axis of symmetry. Three outer petals (sepals) that curve downward called “falls” and three inner petals that curve upward called “standards”, and three “style crests” (which protect the style and the stamens) on top of the falls. The falls are often marked with intricate patterns or veining leading to yellow-orange "signal patches" in the lower part of the petal that guide pollinators into the flower.