[5] The roots can go up to 10 cm (3.9 in) deep and it is a rhizomatous perennial that blooms mid to late spring.

Hundreds of cultivars exist representing nearly every colour from jet black to sparkling whites and red.

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

[10] It has had its chromosome counted several times; 2n=44, Banerji & Chaudhuri, 1972; 2n=28, Mao 1986; 2n=44 Sopova 1982; 2n=44, Váchová & Feráková, 1986 and 2n=44, Lovka, 1995.

[12] It was first published and described as Iris germanica by Carl Linnaeus in his book 'Species Plantarum' on page 38 in 1753.

amas was one of the most important cultivars in the creation of the modern tetraploid tall-bearded Irises.