Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrowly leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
I. chrysographes is an herbaceous perennial to 50cm, with narrow, grey-green leaves and slightly fragrant deep red-purple flowers 5-10cm in width in early summer, marked with gold on the falls