It has short, linear, ensiform (sword shaped) leaves. It may also be referred to as the ensiform process. It has yellowish-green, lanceolate, or ensiform (sword-shaped), leaves, that are glaucous. The grass-like ensiform leaves are fully grown in May. It has stout rhizomes, and it has long, erect, straight, and (ensiform) sword-like leaves. Both the Greek derived "xiphoid" and its Latin equivalent "ensiform" mean 'swordlike'. The alternate leaves are cauline and ensiform (sword shaped). The stem has glaucous green and ensiform spathes (leaves of the flower bud). The leaves of the iris are falcate (sickle-shaped), or erect, or ensiform (sword-shaped). The ensiform (sword-shaped) leaves, form dense clumps, which are often taller than the stem. The grass-like, ensiform leaf shows generally a white central stripe along the leaf axis. They are ensiform (sword shaped), glaucescent, and falcate (sickle-shaped). They are ensiform (sword shaped), crescent-shaped, or lanceolate (lance-shaped).