Iris confusa - the iris that doesn't look like an iris :-)

This species is in the evansia family of iris, and is native to China.
The arching flower stalks have numerous small white flowers, in appearance
almost more like an orchid than an iris. They're often in bloom in March
here in the bay area (this one is a bit early), and always draw lots of
people over to the AIS booth at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.
They prefer shade, and are not freeze hardy, unfortunately.

Jean
awaiting the first rain of February
in the SF bay area, zone 9