Iris antilibanotica

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Iris antilibanotica
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Iris
Section: Iris sect. Oncocyclus
Species:
I. antilibanotica
Binomial name
Iris antilibanotica
Synonyms [1]

None known

Iris antilibanotica is a species in the genus Iris , it is also in the subgenus Iris . It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Syria. It has semi-evergreen, green, falcate leaves, slender stem, bi-coloured flowers, in dark purple, violet. With a small dark spot and purple tipped yellow beard on the outer petals. It is very rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is classified by the IUCN Red List as a critically endangered species in-situ, with only three known wild populations still existing (one in Lebanon and the other two in Syria), as well as a few reintroduced populations which were created in an attempt to conserve this very rare species in Lebanon.

Contents

Description

It has a small compact rhizome, [2] [3] that only reaches up to 2 cm long. They are stoloniferous, and are planted flush with the ground level, so that the upper part of the rhizome can be heated by the sun. [3]

It has 7–8 [2] semi-evergreen, green, [3] falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves. [2] [4] They are similar in form to the leaves of Iris iberica . [3] They can grow up to between 15 and 20 cm (6 and 8 in) long, [3] and between 1 and 1.5 cm wide. [2] [4] They can sheath up to two-thirds of the stem; [4] after the plant has bloomed, they fade (in the summer sun) and die. [3]

It has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between 25 and 40 cm (10 and 16 in) tall. [5] [6] [7]

The stem has an inflated, spathe (leave of the flower bud), which is 10 cm (4 in) long and 4 cm wide. [4]

The stems hold terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming between April, [3] May, [4] or between May and June. [2] They can flower for up to a month long. [8]

The flowers are 7 cm (3 in) in diameter, [3] and are bi-coloured. [2] [5] [7]

Like other irises, it has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'. [9] The standards are paler than the falls. [2] [4] The falls are oblong-shaped, [4] 4–8 cm (2–3 in) long, [2] and 5 cm wide. [4] They are dark purple, or violet, [5] with darker veining. [2] [6] They also have a small blackish signal patch. [2] [3] [4] In the middle of the falls, also is a row of short hairs called the beard, which is yellow, [3] [5] sometimes purple tipped, [2] [4] [6] The standards are 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, and 8 cm wide. [2] [4] They are pale violet, [6] or purple, [2] [4] and have dark veins, [2] but no signal spot. [4]

It has light brown, style branches that are strongly keeled, and have lobes (tips) that are a similar colour to the falls. [2] [4]

It has a perianth tube that is 4.5 cm (2 in) long, [3] and a 2 cm long ovary, which is sulcate (marked with parallel grooves). [4]

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule, which has not been described. [2]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [9] It was counted in 1952 by Simonet and in 1980 by Avishai & Zohary. [6] It has a chromosome count: 2n=20. [3] [7]

Taxonomy

It is sometimes known as 'Bludan Iris', [6] 'iris de l’Anti-Liban' (in French) and سَوْسَن قلموني، سَوْسَن بلودان (in Arabic). [10]

The Latin specific epithet antilibanotica refers to Antilbanus (or Anti-Lebanon Mountains) in central Syria.

It was first published and described by John Edward Dinsmore in 'Flora of Syria' (G.E. Post, Editor) edition 2, Vol.2 on page 599 in 1933. [1] [11] [12]

It was then published by Dinsmore in Pl. Post. & Dinsm. Fasc. II. 10 (in 1934) and Publ. Am. Univ. Beirut, Nat. Sc. Series No.1 and No.3. [12] Then in July 1936, in the 'Journal of The Royal Horticultural Society' Vol.61 Edition7, page 291 and the 'Bulletin of the American Iris Society' Vol.66 on page56 in September 1937. [6]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, and then updated on 1 December 2004. [13]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life, [14] and in the Catalogue of Life. [15]

Iris antilibanotica is an accepted name by the RHS. [16]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia. [13]

Range

It is endemic to Syria, [3] [5] [12] near to the town of Bludan, [4] [11] [17] and the Al-Qalamoun Mountains. [18]

Habitat

It grows on rocky mountain sides, [2] [4] [5] near to the snow line. [8]

The habitat of the iris was described in full by Peter Werckmeister in the Iris Yearbook (in 1957). [2]

They can be found at an altitude of 2,000 to 2,300 m (6,600 to 7,500 ft) above sea level. [3] [4] [5]

Synecology

Within the Anti Lebanon Mountains, it is found with other rare species including Thymus alfredae , Silene schlumbergeri , Alyssum subspinosum , Astragalus antilibani and Ferulago frigida . [19]

Near to the town of Bluden, it is found with fritillaries, Tulipa and Romula. [8]

Conservation

It was listed as partially 'Endangered' and partially 'Rare' in 1996 in Syria. [18] It was then listed on the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. [17]

The habitat of the iris is threatened by human activity. [20] Such as housing and road construction, [21] also conversion of mountainsides to apple orchards. [8] This separates the colonies and makes pollination even more difficult. [21] In 2013, 3 Oncocyclus irises (in the Middle East) were thought to be extinct; Iris antilibanotica, Iris damascena in Syria and Iris westii in Lebanon. [20]

Cultivation

The iris is considered a very difficult plant to cultivate. It can withstand the cold, as long as it is dry. It can also withstand the heat, as long as it is also dry. [3]

Propagation

Irises can generally be propagated by division, [22] or by seed growing.

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), and if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [23]

Related Research Articles

Iris assadiana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the deserts of Syria. It has small rhizomes, grey-green strongly curved leaves, slender stems, scented flowers in April, in shades of maroon, purple, deep purple or black. They have dark veining and it also has yellow/white beard tipped with purple. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Iris atrofusca</i> Species of plant

Iris atrofusca is a species in the genus Iris, where it is placed in the subgenus Iris and the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial from the deserts of Israel and Jordan. The species has long falcate (sickle-shaped) or ensiform (sword-shaped) leaves, a long thick stem and large fragrant flowers that come in shades of purple brown, reddish-black, black-brown, dark brown, dark lilac or dark purple. The flowers also have a black or brownish-black signal patch and a thick beard that is brown-black, light brown or yellow tipped with brown. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Iris atropurpurea</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris atropurpurea, the coastal iris is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Israel. It has glaucous (blue-green), linear, falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves. Between February and March, it has between 1 and 2 flowers, in dark shades from red-brown, burgundy, dark purple to blackish purple. They have a darker signal patch and yellow beard tipped with purple. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to it needing very dry conditions.

<i>Iris auranitica</i> Species of plant

Iris auranitica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial in the Jabal al-Druze region in Syria, where it grows at about 1600 m. It has thin and long, greyish-green, semi-evergreen leaves. In May, it has fragranced flowers, with a dark signal patch and yellow beard with purple tips. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

Iris basaltica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the basalt deserts and hillsides of eastern Syria. It has many falcate long leaves, and long stem. Between March and April, it has white or pale green flowers covered in thick purple or black veining and dots or spots. It also has a purple or maroon beard, tipped with yellow. It is rare cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its environmental conditions of its natural habitat.

<i>Iris bismarckiana</i> Species of plant

Iris bismarckiana, the Nazareth iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountainsides of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. It has stoloniferous, spreading rhizomes, long, sword shaped, bright green leaves, long slender stem and 1 flower in Spring. The large flower is pale yellow, creamy-white, or white background. Which is covered with reddish-brown, maroon brown, purple-brown, purple, blue-purple, or blue veins, markings or spots. It has a dark signal patch and dark purple to black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

<i>Iris bostrensis</i> Species of plant

Iris bostrensis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the border between Syria and Jordan. It has greenish-grey leaves, 1–2 flowers in Spring,, which have a yellowish, greenish or pale brown ground, which is then covered in many brown-black, brown-purple, or brown, spots, streaks or veining. It has a bright yellow beard, slightly tipped in purple. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its environmental conditions of its natural habitat.

Iris camillae is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Azerbaijan. It has narrow, falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, medium-sized stem and large flowers, where the flower colour is very variable, ranging from violet, purple, pale blue, and also yellow, and occasionally bi-colour forms are found. It has a yellow beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its environmental conditions of its natural habitat.

Iris cedreti is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial endemic to Lebanon. It has long narrow leaves, short stem, and flowers with a white background which is covered with very small dots or veins of dark maroon, purple, purplish-maroon, or almost black. It has a dark maroon signal patch with a brownish or purplish beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Iris damascena is a species of plant in the genus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial endemic to Mount Qasioun in Syria. It has thin, sickle-shaped, grey-green leaves and medium-sized stem that holds 1-2 large flowers between March and April. Inflorescences are white or grey-white with purple-brown spotting or veining and a small blackish or dark purple signal patch with a sparse, purple or dark purple beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer. The species is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

<i>Iris hermona</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris hermona, the Golan iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris, and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the pastures and meadows of the Golan Heights in Israel and Syria. It has linear, upright leaves, tall slender stem holding a bi-coloured flower, having a pale lilac, cream-yellow, light tan, or white background, which is then covered in purple brown, or purple, or purple-pink veining, spots or speckling. It has a round purple-brown or almost black signal patch, and a sparse purple brown or almost black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

Iris heylandiana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris, and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the marshlands or fields of Iraq. It has short, linear or sickle shaped grey-green leaves, slender stem, a single flower in spring, which has a dingy-white, whitish, or pale background, which is covered in many spots or dark veining, in black-purple, brown-purple, or brown violet, or brown shades. It has a dark brown or burgundy brown signal patch and white tinged with yellow or orange white sparse beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

<i>Iris iberica <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> elegantissima</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima is a subspecies in the genus Iris, subgenus Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a subspecies of Iris iberica and is a rhizomatous perennial, from Armenia, Turkey and Iran. It has large, thin and falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, slender stem with a single flower between April and May. It has a white, cream or pale yellow ground, which is covered in dark veining or speckling in violet, mauve, purple or brown shades. The larger standards are paler, normally white and less veined. The falls, have darker veining and a dark signal patch and brown or purple beard. It is commonly known as Iris elegantissima, especially in Europe and Russia. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, but normally needs some protection during the winter period.

<i>Iris mariae</i> Species of plant

Iris mariae is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the deserts of Israel and Egypt. It is fairly tall, with long and slender glaucous leaves, and in late spring, lilac-purple to pinkish or violet flowers with deeper veining and blackish-violet signal and dark purple beard.

<i>Iris lortetii</i> Species of plant

Iris lortetii is a species in the genus Iris. It has straight grey-green leaves, a 30–50 cm tall stem, and large showy flowers in late spring or mid-summer that come in shades of pink, from white, lilac, pale lavender and grey-purple. It is veined and dotted pink or maroon. It has a signal patch that is deep maroon and a sparse and brown, purple-brown or reddish beard.

<i>Iris paradoxa</i> Species of plant

Iris paradoxa is a species of flowering plant native to western Asia. It has large upright petals and smaller lower petals, which is unique amongst most iris forms. They come in various shades from white, lavender, mauve, medium purple, violet, dark purple to black. It has a black or purplish black beard on the lower petals. It comes from the region of Transcaucasia, and is found in the countries of Iran, Turkey, Armenia and in Azerbaijan.

<i>Iris petrana</i> Species of plant

Iris petrana, commonly known as the Petra iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It has spring blooming flowers that come in shades from burgundy, dark brown to dark violet and purple. They have yellow or dark 'beards' and flower over sword-like grey-green leaves. It is normally found in the desert sands between the countries of Jordan and Israel.

<i>Iris susiana</i> Species of plant

Iris susiana, commonly known as the mourning iris, is a species of perennial plant in the family Iridaceae. The mourning iris is native to the Middle East. It grows in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, although it is believed to be extinct in the wild. It is popular as a cut flower as the flowers can easily span 12 centimeters. The survival of the species is seriously threatened by excessive picking.

Iris westii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the mountain sides of Lebanon. It has curved grey-green leaves, a stem carrying one flower in shades of lilac, white or beige with spotting or veins in a darker shade or violet. The lower petals have deep velvety chocolate or deep violet-black signal patch and a purple beard. It rare and threatened due to habitat destruction, from military actions, overgrazing by goats and other factors.

Iris yebrudii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the hillsides of Syria. It has curved leaves, often hiding a single stem and the spring flower is pale yellow, covered in fine spots, veining and has a dark purple signal patch and purple beard.

References

  1. 1 2 "Iris antilibanotica Dinsm. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 68, at Google Books
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Chapter I (Part 5) I Oncocyclus" (in French). irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Dinsmore, John Edward (1933). "Iris antilibanotica". Flora of Syria, Palestine, and Sinai. 2 (2): 599.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dominguez, Rafael Diez (27 July 2007). "Iris antilibanotica". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Black, John (19 January 2016). "(SPEC) Iris antilibanotica Dinsm". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "MarHaba from Damascus". rsabg.org. 21 April 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  9. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   0881927309.
  10. ↑ "Iris antilibanotica". ldlp-dictionary.com (Etymological Dictionary of Syrian Flora). Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  11. 1 2 "This name is accepted". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 "Iridaceae Iris antilibanotica Dinsm". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Taxon: Iris antilibanotica Dinsm". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Iris antilibanotica". eol.org. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Iris antilibanotica". catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Iris antilibanotica". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  17. 1 2 Kerry Scott Walter, Harriet J. Gillett, World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants , p. 678, at Google Books
  18. 1 2 United Nations Development Programme, ed. (4 January 1996). "Global Environment Facility, Proposal For PDF Block-B Grant". thegef.org. Retrieved 25 March 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. ↑ Radford, E.A.; Catullo, G.; Montmollin, B. de. (eds.). "Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region: priority sites for conservation" (PDF). IUCN. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  20. 1 2 Christopher Cumo (Editor) Encyclopedia of Cultivated Plants: From Acacia to Zinnia Volume 1 : A-F (2013) , p. 531, at Google Books
  21. 1 2 "The natural site of El-Dichar". ehmej.org. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  22. ↑ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  23. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

Sources

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