Courtesy Photo The Dwarf Lake Iris is an endangered species and also the Michigan State wildflower.

Once again, the Dwarf Lake Iris is blooming along the shores of Lake Huron. At the Alpena Township Nature Preserve, this deep blue and gold Michigan State wildflower is now growing in large colonies. Dwarf Lake Iris is found only along the northern shore of the Lower Peninsula and on the opposite shore of the Upper Peninsula; it is listed as threatened and endangered.

On May 21 and May 22, Master Naturalists Catherine and Susan will lead visitors into the Nature Preserve forest and share information about the iris and other plants growing there. Talks and guided tours are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Pamphlets for self-guided tours are available at the entrance to the Nature Preserve, which is open dawn to dusk.

Directions to the Nature Preserve are as follows: Take Ford Avenue to Misery Bay Road and continue on this road nearly to the end. The entrance is on the left side of Misery Bay Road.