Iris subg. Xiphium


Subgenus Xiphium is a subgenus of Iris. If considered a separate genus from Iris, it is known as genus Xiphion.
The Latin specific epithet Xiphium refers to the Greek word for sword xiphos.
All species in this subgenus are true bulbs, and are native to southwest Europe and northern Africa.
Mainly known for the garden cultivars known as Dutch Iris, Spanish Iris and English Iris. They generally flower between early to mid-summer and each stem produces between 1 - 3 flowers.
Most bulbs should be planted in late autumn, 10 cm deep and between 5–10 cm apart.
Section Xiphium
ImageScientific nameDistribution
Iris boissieri Henriq 1885Spain and Portugal
Iris filifolia Boiss. 1842Morocco, Spain
Iris juncea Poir. 1789Algeria, Tunisia Spain, Sicily
Iris latifolia Mill. 1895 – English irisFrance, Spain
Iris rutherfordii M Rodriguez,P Vargas,M Carine and S Jury 2009Morocco
Iris serotina Willk. in Willk. & Lange 1861Spain and Morocco.
Iris tingitana Boiss. & Reut. 1852Morocco irisMorocco, Algeria, Spain, Portugal.
Iris xiphium L. 1753Corsica, France, Italy, Algeria and Tunisia

Horticultural hybrids