Corm with outer layers papery to fibrous. Stem rarely branched, with 2 or 3 sheathing leaves. Basal leaves 3–5, ensiform, 0.8–2 cm wide, flat, with several prominent veins. Inflorescence with flowers ± distichous, 5–15-flowered. Flowers bilabiate, deep purple. Perianth tube up to 1.5 cm long, widened at mouth, curved; lobes with margin and apex flat, sub-equal, spreading; adaxial lobe hood-shaped; abaxial 3 lobes often with a pale mark near the top of the tube. Anthers c. 10 mm long. Style exceeding anthers. Flowers Oct.–Nov.
VVP, Gold, CVU, HSF. Native of Spain, Sicily and North-western Africa. Collected from Mt Evelyn, the Macedon Ranges and Mount Egerton.
One of two subspecies is naturalised in Australia. Var. communis is of a different ploidy level to var. byzantinus and hardly fertile. Morphologically the subspecies are very similar.
Source:
Conn, B.J. (1994). Iridaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 686–716. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
