Iris arenaria (sand iris) is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Central Europe, found in Hungary, Austria, Romania, Czech Republic and Ukraine. It has grass-like leaves, a short stem and pale yellow flowers. It has had a mixed origin and was once Iris humilis subsp. arenaria, a subspecies of Iris humilis (another Psammiris iris), until it was reclassified as a separate species. But many sources still state that it is either a synonym or subspecies of Iris humilis. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
It is found in Hungary, (including Kiskunság) Austria, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
It is commonly found on Pannonian steppe, (within Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia). It grows on the sunny rock steppes, and on stony slopes, from lowlands to highlands.
It is listed in Annex II of the FFH Directive (Flora, Fauna, Habitat) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, with Adenophora lilifolia, Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Angelica palustris, Cirsium brachycephalum , Iris aphylla subsp. hungarica and Pulsatilla pratensis ssp. hungarica.
Iris arenaria is listed as ‘endangered species’.
It is threatened by extensive grazing of sheep and goats, also sand extraction and urban development.
It is protected in Czech Republic,(7 of 8 populations are located with reserves), Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia.
Within Hungary, it is thought to be a ‘Plant Species Of Community Importance’, with ‘Sand saffron’ (Colchicum arenarium).
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org)