Which is covered with reddish-brown, maroon brown, purple-brown, purple, blue-purple, or blue veins, markings or spots.

It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions (i.e. Europe or America), as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

[10] It forms long thin stolons, that can reach up to a few meters,[5] into the ground, seeking minerals.

[5] The stem has a green, lanceolate, spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which is 7.6 cm (3 in) long.

[3] The flowers are 10–15 cm (4–6 in) in diameter,[8][9][15] and they have a pale yellow,[9][11] yellow-green,[18] cream,[8] creamy-white,[11][12] or white ground.

[13][19] Which is covered with reddish-brown,[15] maroon brown,[9][12][14] purple-brown,[5][7][10] purple,[7][19] blue-purple,[13][14] light violet,[6] lilac,[18] or blue veins or spots.

[7] In the middle of the falls, a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is dark purple,[8][9][10] or blackish.

[10] It has oblong shaped stigmas, which are a similar colour to the petals,[7] and are also densely veined.

[6][16] As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.

[9][22] The Latin specific epithet bismarckiana refers to Prince Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898, 1st Chancellor of the German Empire).

In 1972, Avishai disagreed, and thought that Iris hermona was a separate species, especially due to the rhizome differences (stoloniferous in 'I.

[30] It is found in Israel,[11][12][18] (including in the provinces of Upper and Lower Galilee,[4][5] on Mount Hermon,[6][13][14] on Mt.

[4][24] It grows on the rocky and stony mountain-sides,[6][9][1] at the edges of woodlands,[5][6] or in scrub land.

[9] It is a very rare iris,[4] and was under risk of extinction,[32] from threats of urbanization, animal grazing and forestry (creating plantations) with in Israel.

[31] It was listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as Endangered when last assessed on 2 May 2016.

[33] In Upper Nazareth, Israel, a residential neighbourhood was planned, but it clashed with hundreds of irises.

[34] It is further threatened with the reserves, by an invasive weed, Sarcopoterium spinosum (or Prickly burnet), a common dwarf shrub which competes with the iris for space.

[10] It is considered rather difficult to cultivate,[12] due to it needing high temperatures and dryness.

Some seeds need stratification, (the cold treatment), which can be carried out indoors or outdoors.

[7] Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting.

[1] The iris rhizome has been used in a perfume called 'Iris Nazarena', by Aedes de Venustas,[39][40] a New York-based fragrance boutique.