It was later introduced to Spain, and then other European countries.

The flowers are grey or silvery in bud, and are white or off-white and 8 cm wide in bloom.

It is a sterile hybrid, and spreads by rhizomal growth and division, as it cannot produce seeds.

Originating from Yemen and Saudi Arabia, it appears in a wall painting of the Botanical Garden of Tuthmosis III in the Temple of Amun at Karnak in ancient Thebes dated around 1426 BC.

Iris albicans is included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone.