| Iris subg. Xiphium | |
|---|---|
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| Close-up image of Iris xiphium | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Iris |
| Subgenus: | Iris subg. Xiphium (Miller) Spach |
| Species | |
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See text | |
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.[1]
All species in this subgenus are true bulbs, and are native to southwest Europe (southern Spain, Portugal and southern France) and northern Africa.[2]
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.[3]
Section Xiphium
- Iris boissieri Henriq
- Iris filifolia Boiss.
- Iris juncea Poir.
- Iris latifolia Mill. – English iris
- Iris rutherfordii M Rodriguez,P Vargas,M Carine and S Jury
- Iris serotina Willk. in Willk. & Lange
- Iris tingitana Boiss. & Reut. – Morocco iris
- Iris xiphium L.
Horticultural hybrids
- Iris × hollandica (Spanish iris, Dutch iris)
- ^ Stearn, William (1972). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names. London: Cassell. p. 334. ISBN 0304937215.
- ^ Joyce, David. The Garden Plant Selector.
- ^ Cassidy, G.E.; Linnegar, S. (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. pp. 144–145. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.