Subgenus Xiphium (Miller) Spach

1846, Botanical author Miller ........................related links... Botanical Classification

Subgenus Xiphium (Miller) Spach. in Ann. Sci. Nat. series 3, V:92 (1846). (The ‘Spanish' Irises) Recognized as a genus by Rodionenko but as a subgenus by Mathew. They agree that the few species in this group although bulbous are very distinct from the Reticulata irises. The two groups can be separated by the covering on the bulbs which is netted in the Reticulata irises and not netted but papery, leathery or shell-like in the Spanish irises.

A Subgenus in the Genus Iris. Subgenus Xiphium includes the following bulbous species; Iris boissieri, Iris filifolia, Iris juncea, Iris latifolia, Iris serotina, Iris tingitana, and Iris xiphium.

The Large group of hybrids Popularly known as Dutch Irises are botanically Iris x hollandica.

-- Main.RPries - 2010-02-03