S. I. Ali & Brian Mathew

Iris halophila Pallas, Reise 2: 733. 1773.

Rhizome thick, branched. Leaves 75-100 cm ( 7-12 mm, lanceolate, almost ensiform, longer than stem. Peduncle (stem) up to 90 cm, sheathing leaves mostly lanceolate, acute, 3-4 flowers at apex, 1-2 in lateral clusters. Flowers (6-) 7-8 (-10) cm in diameter, white, dingy white-yellow or grey-purple, sometimes golden yellow; falls elliptical, narrowing abruptly into haft, which is longer than blade; standards upright; crest small. Anthers 1.4-1.8 cm long.

Fl. Per.: May-July.

Type: Pallas, Reise 3: t. B, fig. 2. 1776.

Distribution: Pakistan (Kurram), Afghanistan, Iran, European Russia, Caucasus, Altai Mountains, Soviet Central Asia, Siberia, W. Mongolia, China, Gansu and Xinjiang (Bowley, l.c. 188-189).

Köhlein (Iris: 167. 1987) treats I. halophila Pallas as a distinct species.