Citation: Miller, Gard. Dict. edn 8 (1768).

Synonymy: I. ochroleuca L., Mant. Alt. 175 (1771).

Common name: Oriental iris.

Description:
Perennial to 1.5 m high, with an underground rhizome forming dense clumps; leaves linear, acute, erect to arching, 30-90 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, dark-green; stem erect, unbranched below the inflorescence, with 2 or 3 leaves.

Terminal cyme 2- or 3-flowered, closely flanked by 1 or 2 2-flowered cymes; spathe bracts narrowly lanceolate, acute, 4-8 cm long, herbaceous or with membranous apices; flowers long-pedicellate, white and yellow, slightly sweet-scented; perianth tube funnel-shaped, c. 1 cm long; outer lobes spathulate, 6-7 cm long, with a straight patent claw and a shorter decurved orbicular lamina with a large golden-yellow blotch; inner lobes oblanceolate, c. 6 cm long, erect, white; style branches oblong-elliptic, white, with acute crests 6-10 mm long.

Capsules cylindrical, 3-4 cm long, with a beak to 2 cm; seeds not seen.

Published illustration: Macoboy (1969) What flower is that?, fig. 518.

Distribution:  A garden escape along streams. S.Aust.: SL.   Native to western Turkey and the eastern Aegean islands. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct., Nov.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available