Iris xiphium

Spanish iris

The Spanish Sword lily or Spanish Iris (Iris xiphium ) is a plant from the family of Iris Family ( Iridaceae ).

Description

The species can reach a height of up to 75 centimeters. The onion is elongated in shape, is protected by a thin shell and rootless during the rest period. The blue- green leaves are narrow, lance-shaped and rinnig and already growing in autumn.

The occasionally branched flower stalk is fixed; the inflorescence bears one or two flowers. The flower color can vary widely, ranging from frequent violet to blue, yellow and bronze colors, including white occurs. What is striking is the ever-present yellow spot on the hanging petals.

Dissemination

It is native to the Iberian Peninsula, southern France and northern Africa, where they settled dry locations.

System

The first description of Carl Linnaeus was published in 1753. The Spanish iris is the eponymous species of the subgenus Xiphium, which was at times regarded by various authors as a distinct genus Xiphium. There, the type was Xiphium vulgare. However, this view did not prevail.

Use

The Spanish iris is often used because of their impressive color for the production of cultural hybrids and is the ancestral species of Iris hispanica and Iris hollandica hybrids. However, the species is mainly due to their lack of hardiness as a garden plant of only minor importance.