This natural hybrid was collected by Lange in 1860. It is sometimes listed as an Intermediate Iris.

This historical iris was grown throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa since at least the 1400s and is still found growing on the tops of gravesites there.

I. albicans differs from I. florentina in that it holds its flowers closer to the stem, the flowers themselves are more "papery," and the base of the standards is hairless. I. albicans also has wider leaves that are prone to twist.