Here’s an interesting post from the Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska & Emmet Cooperative Invasive Species Management Office (CAKE CISMA) on the Dwarf Lake Iris, Michigan’s rare (and endangered) state wildflower that can be found on Beaver Island.
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Sorry we couldn’t wait until Friday to share these beauties with you. Say hello to Michigan’s state wildflower and CAKE CISMA logo, the Dwarf Lake Iris! The dwarf lake iris is endemic to Great Lakes shorelines, where it is found in coastal cedar-fir-spruce forests and limestone pavement/grassland. Endemic species are species found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country, or other defined zone. Dwarf lake irises are only found along the northern lakeshores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in Michigan, and Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, as well as in limited areas of Canada. The dwarf lake iris is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Always rare, it has become rarer due to loss of habitat resulting from shoreline development. Invasive species also contribute to habitat loss, and that’s a big part of why we’ve made this plant our logo. When we stop the spread of the invasive species we’re allowing our beautiful native plants the space and conditions they need to thrive.
Dwarf lake iris can be found in the following counties: Alpena County, Charlevoix County (Only on Beaver Island), Cheboygan County, Chippewa County (Only on Drummond Island), Delta County, Emmet County, Mackinac County (Including Bois Blanc, Mackinac, Round Islands), Menominee County, Presque Isle County & Schoolcraft County.
