Patersonia glabrata

Native Iris, Leafy Purple Flag

Family: Iridaceae

Patersonia is a densely tufted grass-like herb with tough, stiff leaves. The leaves of each plant are arranged in a line on either side of the flower stem.

The flowers range from blue to purple and have 3 broad sepals, 3 smaller petals and 3 yellow stamens. They are delicate and short-lived, opening one after another on sunny days.

The slender flower stems of Patersonia glabrata are 10 - 30 cm long.

The leaves of Patersonia glabrata are different to other species of Patersonia in that they are not tufted from the base. Instead the tufts arise from along the flower stalk. They are up to 30 cm long and have silky hairs along the margins near the bases.

Patersonia glabrata flowers September - November.

Click here for Patersonia sericea, another species in Lane Cove National Park.