Iris haynei, the Faqqu'a Iris or Gilboa iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, subgenus Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the shrublands and mountainsides mostly west of the Jordan River, on the Gilboa mountain. It has smooth, linear or lanceolate, greyish-green leaves. Long slender stem and in Spring, large, fragrant flowers in shades of deep purple, violet, purple, brownish purple or dusky lilac veining or speckling over a pale ground. It has a dark purple, black-brown, to blackish signal patch, and a beard, which is variable from dark purple, white, or dark tipped yellow. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.
Iris haynei
Tourists coming to Mount Gilboa to see the iris
Image: Iris haynei 01 Jusmine
Image: Piki Wiki Israel 30026 Plants of Israel
Subgenus Iris is one subgenus of Iris.
Iris subg. Iris
Close-up of the flower, showing the yellow hairs of the 'beard'
Bearded iris cultivar 'Stepping Out'
Iris humilis subsp. arenaria