They are thick-rhizomed plants with leaves in a fan-like arrangement. The flowering stems may be branched. The falls and standards are generally prominent and large with a distinct beard of long hair. In contrast with the other sections of this subgenus the seeds do not have a fleshy appendage (aril). Leaves blue-green to grey-green, straight, tapered at tip. Stems 70-120 cm tall, 1-3 branched. Spathes 3.5-5.5 cm, green with transparent papery tip. Flowers 2-7, 9-18 cm wide, any colour combination except pure red or green, often cinnamon-scented. Perianth segments 9-12 cm long, falls with a prominent beard. Mid to late spring.
These are members of the section Iris of the subgenus Iris.
Service (1988).
Source: (2005). Iridaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
