Southern Blue Flag, Iris virginica

Southern Blue Flag, Iris virginica, is a native Louisiana iris that thrives in the wetland at Vista Farm and blooms in the spring. It may be one of the Iris species used by the Seminole to treat “shock following alligator-bite”. The Cherokee use this medicinal plant for traditional medicinal uses. The root is pounded into a paste that is used as a salve for the skin. An infusion made from the root is used to treat ailments of the liver. Iris spread from a rhizome just below ground. Source: Wikipedia.