Iris filifolia is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Xiphium. It is a bulbousperennial from North Africa and Europe. It has thin leaves, summer flowers in shades of red-purple.
It has 3mm wide leaves,[4] which appear in the autumn.[5] It normally reaches a height of 10-16 inches (or 25–40cm).[6] But can reach up to 45cm tall.[5] It flowers between March and June.[6] Normally more than 2 flowers per stem.[7] When the flowering shoot comes out of the ground it is covered in a purple or white blotched sheath.[4] These then open up to revel red-purple flowers with orange spots,[6] or yellow stripe on the falls.[8]
Biochemistry
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[6] It has a chromosome count: 2n=32.[8]
In Gibraltar, it is also known as the 'Narrow-leaved Purple Iris'.[10]
It is often mistakenly called 'Spanish Iris'.[11] The Spanish Iris is Iris xiphium.
In 1842, it was first described by Pierre Edmond Boissier in 'Voyage botanique en Espagne' Vol 2, on page 602.[12] Dykes notes that this description is incorrect.[13] It was also described in Curtis's Botanical Magazine No.5929 as 'Xiphion filifolium'.[3]
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