What’s Blooming at Barataria?

Copper Iris in bloom at Barataria Preserve

NPS Photo

 

Are the Irises Blooming at Barataria Preserve?

In the spring, wildflowers fill every corner of Barataria Preserve. Although the giant blue iris population was greatly reduced for several years, they seem to be making a comeback. With the weather mild and bugs tame, spring is a great time to explore the trails at Barataria Preserve!

Here is a look at the iris spotting from recent years!

Flower	About	Spotted?
Copper Iris Iris fulva	Found from Southern Illinois and Ohio to Louisiana then from Texas to Georgia.	Yes (3/10/23)
Giant Blue Iris Iris giganticaerulea	Largest of the Louisiana Irises. Only found in Louisiana.	Yes (3/2/23)
Yellow flag Iris Iris pseudacorus	This fast-spreading iris is beautiful, though some states consider it an invasive species and weed.	No
Yellowtop Packera glabella	Common name is Butterweed. Native to central and southeastern North America, it is toxic to humans.	Yes (3/10/23)
Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana	Grows wild along trails, but popular in gardens. Over 75 hybrids of Tradescantia species exist.	Yes (3/10/23)
Evening Primrose Oenothera speciosa	Many other common names such as: Pink Evening Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose, Mexican Evening Primrose, Pink Ladies, Buttercups/Pink Buttercups.	No
Lyreleaf Sage Salvia lyrata	The exposed lower lip provides an excellent landing platform for bees. When a bee lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen.	Yes (3/10/23)
Louisiana Vetch Vicia ludoviviana	Stems are several feet high, generally sprawling, prostrate or climbing over neighboring vegetation.	Yes (3/10/23)
Spider Lily Hymenocallis liriosme	A North American bulb-forming herb native to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.	Yes (3/10/23)
Dewberry Rubus pubescens	Has a fruit that looks much like blackberries. The fruits are sweet and juicy right off the plant, but can also be used in jams, jellies, and most recipes involving red raspberries.	Yes (3/10/23)
Wild Onion Allium canadense	Has an edible bulb covered with a dense skin of brown fibers. The plant also has strong onion odor and taste.	Yes (3/10/23)
Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica	Species of honeysuckle native to eastern Asia. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species in a number of countries.	No
Bull Tongue Sagittaria lancifolia	Also known as Lanceleaf Arrowhead, Duck-potato, Bulltongue Arrowhead. Prevents shore erosion and provides an excellent food source for wildlife, making it an aquatic plant with environmental importance.	Yes (3/10/23)
Daisy Fleabane Erigeron spp.	Several species commonly referred to as daisy fleabane (Erigeron spp.) are native to Louisiana. They produce a rosette of leaves at the base and flowers that are about one-half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter.	Yes (3/10/23)

Barataria Preserve is not the only place to see wild irises in Louisiana. The following are all boardwalk trails within the Greater New Orleans area:

• Northlake Nature Center

• Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

• Bonnet Carre Spillway Recreation

• Joyce Wildlife Management Area

• Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Wetland Trace - Town of Jean Lafitte

• St. Bernard State Park

• Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail

• Lockport Elevated Wetland Boardwalk

 

Spring in the Swamp: Past Years

Click on the year to see which flowers were observed and to learn about the flowers at Jean Lafitte's Barataria Preserve!

Spring 2021

Barataria Preserve Spring 2021

Iris	About	Spotted?
Copper  Iris fulva	Found from Southern Illinois and Ohio to Louisiana then from Texas to Georgia.	Last bloom (4/21/21)
Giant Blue Iris giganticaerulea	Largest of the Louisiana Irises. Only found in Louisiana.	Last bloom (4/28/21)
Yellow flag  Iris pseudacorus	This fast-spreading iris is beautiful, though some states consider it an invasive species and weed.	Last bloom (4/21/21)
Yellowtop Packera glabella	Common name is Butterweed. Native to central and southeastern North America, it is toxic to humans.	Last bloom  (4/28/21)
Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana	Grows wild along trails, but popular in gardens. Over 75 hybrids of Tradescantia species exist.	Last bloom (4/30/21)
Evening Primrose Oenothera speciosa	Many other common names such as: Pink Evening Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose, Mexican Evening Primrose, Pink Ladies, Buttercups/Pink Buttercups.	Last bloom  (4/28/2021)
Lyreleaf Sage  Salvia lyrata	The exposed lower lip provides an excellent landing platform for bees. When a bee lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen.	Last bloom (4/28/2021)
Louisiana Vetch Vicia ludoviviana	Stems are several feet high, generally sprawling, prostrate or climbing over neighboring vegetation.	Last bloom (4/28/2021)
Spider Lily Hymenocallis liriosme	AvNorth American bulb-forming herb native to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.	Last bloom (5/11/2021)
Dewberry Rubus pubescens	Has a fruit that looks much like blackberries. The fruits are sweet and juicy right off the plant, but can also be used in jams, jellies, and most recipes involving red raspberries.	Last bloom  (4/28/2021)
Wild Onion Allium canadense	Has an edible bulb covered with a dense skin of brown fibers. The plant also has strong onion odor and taste.	Last bloom (5/21/2021)
Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica	Species of honeysuckle native to eastern Asia. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species in a number of countries.	Last bloom  (4/28/2021)
Bull Tongue Sagittaria lancifolia	Also known as Lanceleaf Arrowhead, Duck-potato, Bulltongue Arrowhead. Prevents shore erosion and provides an excellent food source for wildlife, making it an aquatic plant with environmental importance.	Last bloom (5/21/2021)

 

• Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail

• Lockport Elevated Wetland Boardwalk

Spring 2022

Flower	About	Spotted?
Copper Iris Iris fulva	Found from Southern Illinois and Ohio to Louisiana then from Texas to Georgia.	No (Last bloom early May)
Giant Blue Iris Iris giganticaerulea	Largest of the Louisiana Irises. Only found in Louisiana.	No (Last bloom early May)
Yellow flag Iris Iris pseudacorus	This fast-spreading iris is beautiful, though some states consider it an invasive species and weed.	No (Last bloom early May)
Yellowtop Packera glabella	Common name is Butterweed. Native to central and southeastern North America, it is toxic to humans.	Yes (4/29/22)
Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana	Grows wild along trails, but popular in gardens. Over 75 hybrids of Tradescantia species exist.	Yes (5/11/22)
Evening Primrose Oenothera speciosa	Many other common names such as: Pink Evening Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose, Mexican Evening Primrose, Pink Ladies, Buttercups/Pink Buttercups.	Yes (5/11/22)
Lyreleaf Sage Salvia lyrata	The exposed lower lip provides an excellent landing platform for bees. When a bee lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen.	Yes (3/25/22)
Louisiana Vetch Vicia ludoviviana	Stems are several feet high, generally sprawling, prostrate or climbing over neighboring vegetation.	Yes (3/25/22)
Spider Lily Hymenocallis liriosme	A North American bulb-forming herb native to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.	Yes (5/11/22)
Dewberry Rubus pubescens	Has a fruit that looks much like blackberries. The fruits are sweet and juicy right off the plant, but can also be used in jams, jellies, and most recipes involving red raspberries.	Yes (4/29/22)
Wild Onion Allium canadense	Has an edible bulb covered with a dense skin of brown fibers. The plant also has strong onion odor and taste.	Yes (5/11/22)
Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica	Species of honeysuckle native to eastern Asia. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species in a number of countries.	Yes (5/11/22)
Bull Tongue Sagittaria lancifolia	Also known as Lanceleaf Arrowhead, Duck-potato, Bulltongue Arrowhead. Prevents shore erosion and provides an excellent food source for wildlife, making it an aquatic plant with environmental importance.	Yes (5/11/22)
Daisy Fleabane Erigeron spp.	Several species commonly referred to as daisy fleabane (Erigeron spp.) are native to Louisiana. They produce a rosette of leaves at the base and flowers that are about one-half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter.	Yes (3/25/22)