In 1999, the Assemblée nationale – the government of Quebec – finally adopted the blue flag, or blue iris – the iris versicolore – as Quebec’s floral emblem. In so doing, it corrected a serious error. In 1963, the government had chosen the “lys des champs” as its emblem, despite the fact that this flower, European in origin, does not grow naturally here and doesn’t even have the shape of the heraldic symbol of an iris that adorns the Quebec flag.

The fleur-de-lis (and the “s” is pronounced), or lily emblem, has long been featured in the coats of arms of the French kings, but its origin is a mystery. For some, “fleur des lys” was derived from “fleur de louis”, evoking the long line of kings of France named Louis. For others, it originates with the yellow iris found in abundance on banks of the Lys river in Belgium, and was adopted by the Francs when the kingdom of France was founded. Some even believe that it’s actually the “fleur de liesse”, symbol of the Celts!

Wherever the truth lies, the blue flag is a highly appropriate symbol. It is found in its natural state in all inhabited regions of Quebec, and the peak flowering period is around June 24, the day of Quebec’s Fête nationale, which is also called Saint- Jean-Baptiste day. The flower is named after Iris, Greek goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods between heaven and earth. The word “versicolore” in the flower’s French name evokes its various colours: blue, white, yellow, pink and purple.

The flue flag grows in colonies or clumps, often very dense, in wetlands, beside rivers and streams, lakes and marshes, in ditches and poorly drained fields. It’s important to protect this symbolic plant, because its habitat is disappearing steadily due to the drying of wetlands for agricultural purposes, residential construction and road building. It is also important not to pick it in its natural surroundings because, at any rate, it can easily be bought commercially.

By the same author: The red-winged blackbird, busy little Corporal (Click the image below)