Iris xiphium

{{short description|Species of flowering plant in the iris family Iridaceae}}

{{More citations needed|type =plant|date=December 2009}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Spanish iris

| image = Iris-xiphium.JPG

| genus = Iris

| display_parents = 2

| parent = Iris sect. Xiphium

| species = xiphium

| authority = L.

| synonyms = {{Species list

|Iris coronaria |Salisb.

|Iris hispanica |Steud.

|Iris spectabilis |Spach [Illegitimate]

|Iris taitii |Foster

|Iris variabilis |Jacq.

|Iris xiphia |St.-Lag. [Spelling variant]

|Iris xiphium var. battandieri |Foster

|Iris xiphium f. durandoi |Batt.

|Xiphion verum |Schrank

|Xiphion vulgare |Mill.

| synonyms_ref = {{cite web |title=Iris xiphium L. is an accepted name |date= 23 March 2012 |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-322589 |publisher=theplantlist.org (The Plant List)|accessdate=4 September 2015}}}}

}}

Iris xiphium, commonly known as the Spanish iris, is an iris native to Spain and Portugal. It has also been found in Corsica, South West France, southern Italy, Algeria and Tunisia. This species is also known as the small bulbous-rooted iris or xiphium iris.

It was first illustrated in 'Flowers of the Mediterranean' in 1965.James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) {{Google books|CkxWrDqtWLQC|The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification|page=258}}

It is bulbous and bears blue, violet, white or yellow flowers,Christopher Brickell {{Google books|Oe0UjZ3URFQC| RHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers| page=597 }} though they are not so large as those of I. xiphiodes. They are around 6 cm wide. The plant can reach up to 80 cm, It typically flowers in May and June, but not always.

The greyish-green leaves emerge in autumn, they grow between 20–70 cm tall.

The leaves die after the flowers fade.Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden {{Google books|=_w_9TBFiSqgC|Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens: 200 Drought-Tolerant Choices for All Climates |page=165}}

The Spanish iris is favoured by florists for its striking colour combinations. This species has several varieties popular in horticulture, among them var. lusitanica whose flowers are yellow all over.

It is among the hardier bulbous irises, and can be grown in northern Europe. But not in all of North America, where frosts would damage the autumn foliage. It requires to be planted in thoroughly drained beds in very light open soil, moderately enriched, and should have a rather sheltered position.Benjamin Yoe Morrison {{Google books|Es_Cv3u8HbEC|Garden irises|page=25}}