Yes it's the nuisance plant Iris pseudacorus - do not plant this!

Yes I heard about it :( it's frustrating to see invasives taking over. Do you contact your local invasive center if you see a population? I've contacted them a couple times but to my knowledge those areas have been untouched. What else can we do when it's not on out property :(

If there's an invasive center, that would probably be a great place to contact. If not, you could try contacting a local garden or natives expert to let them know, as they might know who to contact or have a little more authority when contacting whomever. I know some towns around here have initiatives to eradicate invasive plants, so there very well could be some around you, as well ...

So far they aren't listing the iris.

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/weedgal.htm

Perhaps because there is bigger problems. Our wetlands of all sorts here in Western NY are all being gobbled up by Phragmites australis. Iris, cattail, and EVERYTHING else can't out complete this terrible plant and the monoculture it makes. I hope it hasn't made it way to my northern neighbor Ontario yet.

That reed grass has taken over much of Illinois too, including the shores of lake Michigan. It's alterring of the native ecosystem is horrific.

Too late on the Phragmites a. fatamorgana, it has been a problem here for many years.

Not sure about the phragmites and catails bc I have yet to learn to distinguish them from our natives. what i do know is there's a big dog-stranger vine, Himalayan balsam, buckthorn, and Russian olive problem in my area.

Also our Canadian thistle while native is outcompeting other plants and creating monoculture in a big way :(

I'll keep contacting the invasive center

thanks for sharing everyone!

Sorry, Peren on the Phragmites. It is truly terrible stuff and as much as I loathe herbicides, I would consider using the “glove of death” (google it) on it. I did read that they are finding that Phragmites does not have a sweet tooth and it might be the answer they are searching for to save wetlands without herbicides.

Such a sweet and ingenious concept, thanks fatamorgana! I found this Sweet solution for anyone interested.

That is even a better article than the one I read. Thanks for the share!

And Cattail, Typha latifolia (and others) IS native and is a good food plant for a lot of creatures, I believe. Don't tar it with the same brush as Phragmites.

I love cattail and have been sad to see it vanishing from wetlands. They are a great competer but they cannot out compete Phragmites.