Appearance
It has short, branching, stout, woody rhizomes. They can be up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Underneath, they have fleshy roots.Over a long period, they can form large clumps of plants.
It has basal leaves, that are erect, between deep green and dark green, stiff and sword-like.
They can grow up to 60–90 cm long and 1–2 cm wide.
The leaves are not usually as long as the flowering stems.
The flower stalk begins to grows in April and then reaches maturity in May.
The solid, slightly flattened stems, about 1-cm wide, can generally grow up to between 40–90 cm long.
Although, larger forms are known to be much bigger, growing up to between 90–170 cm long.
It has normally 1 or more short branches.
The stems have 2–3 spathes , which are papery and 9–12 cm long.
The stems hold 2–5 terminal flowers, which open in succession, blooming in late spring, or summer, between May and July.
The large flowers are 8–10 cm in diameter, and are white or near-white.
It has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals , known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals long and 3–6 cm wide.
The standards are erect, spatulate , with a yellow centre section surrounded in white. They are 4–8 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide.
The flowers are pollinated by insects.
It has 1–2.5 cm long, white, funnel-form or cup shaped perianth tube, 4–6 cm long, white style branches, and 2 lobed stigmas.
After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid to oblong-elliptic, triangular in cross section, seed capsule, 4–6 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide, with a beaked top. The brown seed capsule has 2 ribs.
Inside the seed capsule, are 2 rows of papery, wrinkled, white, flattened or wedged-shaped seeds, that are 4-5mm across.
Distribution
''Iris orientalis'' is native to Asia Minor.
Habitat
''Iris orientalis'' is native to Asia Minor.''Iris orientalis'' grows on saline marshy lands, including damp meadows, and ditches, or irrigation channels.It grows at altitudes of between l50-1400 metres above sea level.
Defense
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous , if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.Uses
It has been listed with ''Iris paradoxa'' and ''Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica'' as a suitable halophyte crop.References:
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