Iris paradoxa is a species of flowering plant native to western Asia.

It comes from the region of Transcaucasia, and is found in the countries of Iran, Turkey, Armenia and in Azerbaijan.

[6][12] The smaller falls are a darker colour,[8] blackish-violet, through to pale purple densely overlaid with black-purple veins.

[3] The falls are also covered with blackish,[8][7][10] blackish-purple[2][12] or violet hairs[9] or 'beard'[6] with a pale v-shaped mark in centre.

The Latin specific epithet paradoxa refers to the Greek word for 'unusual',[13][14] This is due to being thought being entirely unlike any other species.

[20] It can be found near Lake Van, close to the town of Başkale, and it is common around the village of Hoşap, known for its Hoşap Castle, Gürpınar District, Van Province, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey.

The beard is black and covers the upper half of the falls and the style arms are cream, speckled reddish brown.

[10] Males of Xylocopa valga (a type of carpenter bee) have been observed pseudo-copulating on the reduced, velvety petals of the plant in Leriksky area, near Gosmaljan, Azerbaijan.

[22] It grows on arid,[8] stony hillsides and they can be found at altitude between 1,200–2,000 metres (3,900–6,600 ft) above sea level.

[3][6] I. paradoxa can be easily grown in an alpine house,[6] or they can be placed in rock gardens, which should have a summer drought.

[24] Iris paradoxa has been used in various breeding programmes and various cultivars have been produced including: 'Atrata', 'Choschab', 'Jolfa Form', 'Medwedewi', 'Mirabilis', 'Paradoxa' and 'Paradoxa Albo-Lutescens'.

[9] Various Iris paradoxa crossed Hybrids have also been produced; Iris paradoxa crossed with Section Oncocyclus Irises: Iris paradoxa crossed with Section Regelia Irises : Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (including rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested, it can cause stomach pains and vomiting.