Iris assadiana

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Iris assadiana
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Iris
Section: Iris sect. Oncocyclus
Species:
I. assadiana
Binomial name
Iris assadiana
Synonyms [1]

Iris barnumiae var. zenobiae Mouterde

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.

Contents

Description

It has a small rhizome, [2] [3] and several stolons, [4] [5] which are 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long. [2] [3] It can form small clumps of plants. [2]

It has 6–8, [2] grey-green, [3] strongly falcate (sickle shaped), [2] or strongly curved, [3] [4] and reflexed leaves, [2] which can grow up to between 4–12 cm (2–5 in) long and about 1 cm wide. [2] [3]

It has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to15 cm (6 in) tall. [6] [7] [8]

The stems hold scented flowers in April, [2] which are 6–7.5 cm (2–3 in) in diameter, [3] [8] and come in shades of maroon, [6] [4] dark plum, [3] purple, [2] [4] deep purple, [7] [8] or black. [3] [4] [6] Near Qarytein, white, yellow and pale forms have been found. [2] [4]

Like other irises, it has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'. [9] The recurved falls, [2] are 5–6 cm (2–2 in) long and 2.5–3.5 cm wide, [2] with dark veining, [6] and a black velvet-like signal patch. [2] In the middle of the falls, also is a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is made up of long bright yellow, [2] or white hairs, [7] with lateral short purple hairs. [2] [3] [7] The obovate standards, are 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long and 4–5 cm wide, and a similar colour to the falls. [2]

It has style branch that is arched, and pale orange, [7] streaked with purple, [2] or red, according to Brian Mathew. [3]

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule that is about 4 cm long. [2]

Genetics

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [9] It has had its chromosome counted. [10]

Taxonomy

It is sometimes known as 'Iris Asadi' and written as لسوسن الأسدي (باللاتينية (in Arabic script). [11]

The Latin specific epithet assadiana possibly refers to the former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. [12]

It was first published and described by Shaukat A. Chaudhary, Grace Kirkwood & Carolyne Weymouth in 'Bot. Not.' (Botaniska Notiser) Vol.128 (Issue 4) on page401 in 1976 (1975 publ.). [7] [13] [14]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated 2 December 2004 [14]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life, [15] and in the Catalogue of Life. [16]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia. [14]

Range

It is found in the Syrian Desert, [6] [14] [4] near Ayn al-Baydah, Al-Qaryatayn and Al-Hafar, to the west of Palmyra. [2]

It is listed as endemic plant of Syria, [3] along with 200 other vascular plants including Iris auranitica (another Oncoyclus section iris), Teucrium coniortodes , Allium pseudophanerantherum , Allium birkinshawii , Ajuga chasmophila , Echium pabotii , Astragalus qatmensis , Astragalus roessleri , Centaurea trachonitica , Salsola zenobiae , Senecio delbesianus , Thymus alfredae , Vicia kalakhensis , Onobrychis gaillardotii , and Alyssum antilibanoticum . [17]

Habitat

It grows in the chalky hills, [4] [2] and gravel plains of the desert. [3] [5]

They can be found at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 m (2,600 to 3,300 ft)} above sea level. [2] [4] [3]

Conservation

It was listed as a 'rare' plant species in Iraq in 1991, along with two other Oncoyclus section irises, Iris gatesii (also rare) and Iris heylandiana listed as 'Endangered'. [18]

Cultivation

'Oncocyclus Section' Irises are easier to grow than 'Regelia Section' Irises, but should be preferably grown under glass (in frames), to protect the irises from excess moisture (especially during winter times) and also to ensure the (shallow planted) rhizomes get the best temperatures during the growing season.

They can be grown in pots (especially in deep ones known as 'long toms'), but they need re-potting, every 2 years and extra feeding.

Watering is one of the most critical aspects of iris cultivation. The growth starts in October and carefully watering starts, water should never be poured directly on the rhizomes. [19]

Propagation

Irises can generally be propagated by division, [20] or by seed growing.

Seedlings, if germinated, may grow into a mature plant within 3–4 years, seedings are best grown also in frames or alpine houses. [19]

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. Also, handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [21]

Related Research Articles

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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 rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and thought to be extinct in the wild.

<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 the Middle East. 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 barnumiae subsp. demawendica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Elburz Mountains in Iran. It was originally thought to be a separate species before going through various changes before being classed as a subspecies of Iris barnumiae. It has erect, grey-green (grass-like) leaves and two large flowers, which come in shades from claret-red, burgundy, violet-blue, to dark purple, with a white or cream beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to the environmental conditions it prefers.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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<i>Iris sprengeri</i> species of plant

Iris sprengeri 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 slopes of Turkey. It has large flowers which are white, silver-white or cream, with purple-red or reddish-brown veining and a golden yellow beard and a dark purple or deep purple-brown signal patch.

Iris kirkwoodiae is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Syria and Turkey. It has white or pale greenish flowers, heavily covered with dark purple veins or dots, deep purple round signal and a beard of long brown/purple hairs. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris swensoniana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It grows in the deserts of Syria. It has blue-green curved leaves, tall stems holding purple-black or purple blooms with a yellow beard and maroon-black signal patch.

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. ↑ "Iris assadiana Chaudhary, G.Kirkw. & C.Weymouth is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 68-69, at Google Books
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Iris assadiana". rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Dominguez, Rafael Diez (27 July 2007). "Iris assadiana". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Syrian onco trip 2011". srgc.net. 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Black, John (19 January 2016). "(SPEC) Iris assadiana Chaud., Kirk., & Weym". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 69. ISBN   0-88192-089-4.
  9. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   0881927309.
  10. ↑ Wilson, Carol A.; Padiernos, Justin; Sapir, Yuval (8 March 2016). "The royal irises (Iris subg. Iris sect. Oncocyclus): Plastid and low-copy nuclear data contribute to an understanding of their phylogenetic relationships". Taxon. 65 (1): 35–46. doi:10.12705/651.3.
  11. ↑ "Iris assadiana". alasdeka2.net. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  12. ↑ Blackhall-Miles, Robbie (2 December 2015). "Iris assadiana named, for a certain Syrian, by a botanist who thought it would help it's conservation..." twitter.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Iridaceae Iris assadiana Chaudhary, G.Kirkw. & C.Weymouth". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Taxon: Iris assadiana Chaudhary et al". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Iris assadiana". eol.org. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Iris assadiana". catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Syria". lntreasures.com. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  18. ↑ World Conservation Monitoring Centre, ed. (5 February 1991). "Gulf War Environmental Information Service Impact On The Land And Atmosphere" (PDF). unep.org United Nations Environment Programme . Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  19. 1 2 "The Plantsman Buckshaw Gardens, Holwell, Sherborne, Dorset. Oncocyclus, Regelia and Reglio-cyclus Irises" (PDF). srgc.net. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  21. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

Sources

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