Rhizomes many-branched, producing dense clumps, 3–6 × 1.5–2 cm, covered with remnants of old leaves. Stems 1–2-branched, 1.5–9 dm, exceeding leaves; branches 1.25–1.5 dm proximal to terminal, but bearing flowers on nearly the same level. Leaves: basal with blade green with purple tinge basally, prominently ribbed, ensiform, 0.2–0.45 dm × 1–2 cm, ± glaucous distally; cauline subtending each lateral branch, blade reduced, 0.5–1.5 dm. Inflorescence units 2–3-flowered, lateral units usually 2-flowered; spathes green flushed with purple, foliaceous, ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–4.5 cm × 5–7 mm, unequal, inner longer than outer, sometimes scarious. Flowers: perianth dark blue-violet to red-purple with darker veins; floral tube ca. 0.7 cm; sepals 4–6 × 3–5 cm, glabrous, base abruptly attenuate to broad claw with undulate margins; petals much reduced, 1–2 × 0.3–0.4 cm, widest basally, mostly hidden by bases of outer sepals, apex acuminate, with 3–8 mm bristle; ovary conspicuously 3-angled, inflated at anthesis, 1.3 cm; style 2.5 cm, crests overlapping, subquadrate, 0.7 cm, margins incised; stigmas semicircular, margins entire; pedicel 2.5–4.5 cm, ± equaling spathes. Capsules roundly trigonal, 2.5 × 1.3–1.5 cm. Seeds in 2 rows per locule, light brown, with prominent raphe, D-shaped, 2–3 mm, very smooth. 2n = 34, 36, 38.
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Rhizomes grayish brown, thick. Leaves sword-shaped, 30--60 × 0.8--1.8 cm, midvein absent, base surrounded by maroon-brown fibers. Flowering stems with 1--3 long, slender branches, 60--100 cm; spathes 3, green, ovate to lanceolate, 2--4 × 0.8--1.6 cm, 2-flowered, apex acuminate. Flowers violet or blue, 7--8 cm in diam.; pedicel slender, 2.5--3.5 cm. Perianth tube ca. 1 cm; outer segments broadly obovate, 4--4.5 × 2--2.5 cm, claw yellow, veined purple; inner segments erect, narrowly oblanceolate to subulate, short, ca. 2.5 cm. Stamens ca. 2 cm; anthers purple. Ovary ca. 1 cm. Style branches, ca. 3 × 1.6--2 cm. Capsule ellipsoid to ovoid, ca. 3 × 1.8--2 cm, 6-ribbed, apex not beaked. Seeds pale brown. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug--Sep. 2 n = 34, 36, 38.
A fleshy stemmed iris. It grows 60 cm tall. It grows in clumps. They leaves are grey-green. They arch over. They are narrow and ribbed. The flowers are purple with white centres. The veins are yellow.
It is a cool temperate plant. It grows well in damp soil in sun. It grows in wet subalpine meadows near ponds between 1,500-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
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Wet peaty meadows, riversides and open woods, sometimes also in brackish bogs.
Can be grown by divisions or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.
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