Iris tenax

Toughleaf Iris

Description:

Erect flower stems shorter than grass-like leaves.
Leaves bright green with red to pink base, deciduous, to 14 inches tall in tight cluster.
Flowers usually blue to deep purple, sometimes white to cream. Flowers 1 or occasionally 2 per stem, perianth tube from flower to ovary only 1/4 in., 1 or 2 clasping leaves protect the buds.
The tough leaf fiber has been used for nets, snares and ropes.