Rhizome fleshy. Leaves flat, light grey-green, abruptly narrowed and incurved at tip. Stem to 70 cm, unbranched or with one short branch. Spathes herbaceous with white papery tip. Flowers 1-3, 8-9 cm wide, tinged lilac-blue in bud, opening pure white; early spring. Falls oblanceolate with claws veined lime green and beard of white hairs tipped yellow.

This species is widely grown and naturalised in S Australia, and has been confused with I. germanica 'Florentina'.'Madonna' has pale violet-blue flowers.

Arabia.

Source: Cooke, D. (2005). Iridaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.