Iris attica | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Iridaceae |
Genus: | Iris |
Subgenus: | Iris subg. Iris |
Section: | Iris sect. Iris |
Species: | I. attica |
Binomial name | |
Iris attica | |
Synonyms | |
Iris attica, the Greek iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris , it is also in the subgenus Iris . It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of the Balkans in Europe, within the countries of Greece, former Yugoslavia, Turkey and North Macedonia. It has sage green or grey-green leaves, that are sickle-shaped, a stout short stem and 2 variable flowers, in shades from yellow to purple. They have a white or blue beard. It is often called Iris pumila subsp attica, but is classified in most sources, as a separate species, although it is closely related to Iris pumila , as a possible parent plant. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
It is similar in form to Iris suaveolens , that also appears with yellow or purple forms. [5] They are also have flowers in similar colours/shades to Iris pumila, [6] [7] as well as the form of the iris, [8] but smaller. [1]
It has small rhizomes, [7] that spread out, to form clumps of plants. [9] [10]
It has glaucous, [11] sage-green, [12] or green grey leaves. [7] They can grow up to between 4–8 cm (2–3 in) long, [7] [9] and 4-7mm wide. [1] They are lanceolate with a sharp curvature, [1] [11] or sickle shaped. [4] [7] [9]
It has a stout stem, that can grow up to between 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tall. [1] [3] [13] Although, very occasionally they can reach 15 cm tall. [14] [15]
The stems hold 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming in spring, [1] [16] or early summer, [13] [15] between March, [17] April, [7] [8] May, [9] or late as June. [3] The slender, [18] :184 flowers are 3.5–4.5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, [1] [4] [12] come in various shades, [19] from yellow to purple. [4] [10] [20] :118 Including whitish, [1] pale yellow, [9] [14] greenish yellow, [20] :118 lemon yellow, [12] [15] mustard yellow, [2] [3] [4] to blue, [4] blue-purple, [2] [3] violet-blue, [11] and mauve shades. [16] 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'. [18] :17 In the centre of the falls, is a beard. [7] Which can vary in colour, from white through to blue, [3] [18] :184 or bright blue. [4] [19] Some flowers are bi-coloured. [1] [3] [4] The yellow forms have a brown signal patch on the falls. [20] :69 The purple or violet forms have contrasting spots in violet or plum. [18] :184 The standards are upright. [11]
After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule that has not been described yet.
In 1956, Mitra conducted karyological studies on the samples of specimens that they collected, and stated that Iris pumila (2n = 32) was an amphidiploid of Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr. (2n = 16) and Iris pseudopumila Tineo. (2n = 16). [21]
In 1979, a karyotype analysis study was carried out on Iris attica, Iris mellita (a synonym of Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut.) and Iris reichenbachii . It found that Iris attica was 2n=16, both Iris mellita and Iris reichenbachii were 2n = 24. [22]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [18] :18 It has been counted several times; 2n=16 by Simonet, 2n=16 by Randolph in 1954 and 2n=16 Randolph and Mitra in 1956. [13] Then in 1979 by Love. [23] It has a published chromosome count of 2n=16. [4] [7] [24]
It has the common name of 'Greek Iris'. [25]
The Latin specific epithet attica refers to Attica, the former name of Athens in Greece. [26] [27]
It was first published and described by Edmond Boissier and Theodor von Heldreich in 'Diagnoses Plantarum Orientalium novarum.' (Diagn. Pl. Orient.) Vol.2 Issue 4, on page 91 in 1859. [28] [29] [30]
In 1862, it was published (as Iris attica) in 'Gartenflora' Vol.11 377. 1862 (with a colour illustratation), then in The Gardeners' Chronicle Vol.674 in 1865. [13]
In 1890, Iris pumila subsp. attica was then published by K.Richt. in 'Plantae Europeae' (Pl. Eur.) Vol.1 on page 253. [31] This re-classified the species as a subspecies of Iris pumila, as Iris pumila subsp. attica. [20] :118 [32] [33] But some botanists and sources disagreed with this re-classification, and still refer to the species as Iris attica. [1] [11] [34]
It was verified as Iris attica by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 27 December 2002, then updated on 1 December 2004. [28]
Iris attica is an accepted name by the RHS and listed in the RHS Plant Finder book. [25]
It is listed as Iris pumila ssp. attica in the Encyclopedia of Life. [35]
It is native to south eastern Europe. [9] [15] [28]
It is found in the Balkans, [7] [9] [12] within the countries of Greece, [6] [13] [28] (including Mount Egaleo, [11] [36] Delphi, [10] Parnassos, Peloponnese, [11] [37] and many other regions of Greece, [11] ) former Yugoslavia, [18] :184 [19] [20] :118 Turkey, [1] [5] [7] and North Macedonia, [25] (including near Ohrid). [6]
In 2013, Iris variegata L. and Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt was found in Albania, during field trips in Prespa National Park and on Pashtriku Mountain in 2006, 2011 and then in 2012. [33]
It grows on the well drained, sunny, rocky mountainsides. [4] [7] [11] On stony slopes, stony heaths and on rocky ground. [11] It has been found with Fritillaria fleischeriana found growing on areas of rocky limestone amongst scattered juniper trees. [5]
They can be found at an altitude of 400–2,100 m (1,300–6,900 ft) above sea level. [11]
It status in the wild is currently unknown, but thought to be very common. [4]
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 3 and Zone 8, [14] or Zone 10. [4] It is hardy to Zone H2 in Europe (meaning −15 to −20 °C (5 to −4 °F). [38] ). [1] It is thought to be not very hardy in the UK (due to the dampness in winter), so best grown an alpine house or bulb frame, [18] :184 [24] or deep pot. [20] :118 It is prone to viral diseases, if left in water or overwatered. [7]
It prefers to be grown in well-drained soils, [12] [14] [15] (including gritty loam, [24] ) with plenty of aeration. [8] Similar to a scree. [9] It can tolerate a ph level of between 6.1 and 6.5 (mildly acidic) – 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline). [14]
It prefers a position in full sun, [9] to partial shade. [14] [15]
It has average water needs, during the growing months, but needs a period of summer dormancy (a period of dryness after the blooms have faded). [4] [7]
It can be grown in a rock garden, [12] in crevices or between small stones, or in large troughs. [8]
It can be propagated by division of the rhizomes or by seed growing. Collecting the seeds from the ripe and dry capsules (after the plant has bloom), they can be grown straight away, or stored. [14]
In 1995, it was reported by (Whitehouse and Warburton), that Iris pumila (an allotetraploid) is a cross between Iris attica and Iris pseudopumila (another diploid iris). [8] [34] [39]
Several cultivars have been created from Iris attica including; 'Attica Parnes', 'Dr. Crenshaw', 'Herrick' and 'Sounion'. [13]
Iris attica crosses (with other irises) include; 'Cap Sounion', 'Chancelot', 'Goldenes Fuellhorn', 'Goldhaube', 'Mama Mia' and 'Nibelungehort'.' [13]
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), can cause stomach pains and vomiting if mistakenly ingested. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [14] [40]
In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter , the goddess Persephone and her companion nymphs (the Oceanids along with Artemis and Athena) were gathering flowers such as rose, crocus, violet, iris (also called 'agallis' or ἀγαλλίς (in Greek script), [41] lily, larkspur, [16] and hyacinth. [42] Flowers in a springtime meadow before she was abducted by the god Hades. [16]
It has been suggested that 'agallis' mentioned, was a dwarf iris, (in form to leaf and root shape described, [43] ) and identified as Iris attica. [44] [45]
Allium sphaerocephalon is a plant species in the Amaryllis family known as round-headed leek and also round-headed garlic, ball-head onion, and other variations on these names. Other names include Drumsticks, and in Germany, Kugellauch. Some publications use the alternate spelling A. sphaerocephalum. It is a hardy perennial plant.
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Iris danfordiae, the dwarf iris or Danford iris, is a bulbous perennial plant in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is from Turkey in Asia. It has 2 gray-green or bluish green, thick leaves, short slender stem holding a scented flower, in shades of yellow. They are spotted olive-green or green and have a deep yellow or orange crest.
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Iris series Spuriae are a series of the genus Iris, in Iris subg. Limniris. They are sometimes commonly known as butterfly irises.
Iris arenaria is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Central Europe, found in Hungary, Austria, Romania, Czech Republic and Ukraine. It has grass-like leaves, a short stem and pale yellow flowers. It has had a mixed origin and was once Iris humilis subsp. arenaria, a subspecies of Iris humilis, until it was reclassified as a separate species. But many sources still state that it is either a synonym or subspecies of Iris humilis. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris darwasica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan. It has long and thin glaucous to grey-green leaves, slender stem and greenish cream or greenish yellow, to dark purple or lilac flowers.
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Iris adriatica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Dalmatia region of Croatia in Europe. It has short sickle shaped leaves, small stem and flowers that vary from yellow to purple or violet. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris florentina is the white flowered variant of Iris germanica now classified as Iris germanica nothovar. florentina. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions almost worldwide. Iris florentina is a rhizomatous perennial from southern Europe, mainly Italy and France. It has a thick violet-scented rhizome, sword-like green or grey-green semi-evergreen leaves, a tall branched stem, and many flowers that are white and tinged or flushed with blue, pale blue, or lavender in spring or summer, and a white and yellow beard. It is also grown to produce orris-root, a scented substance used in perfumes, soaps, tooth cleanser, and clothes washing powder. Medicinally it was used as an expectorant and decongestant. It is made from the rhizomes of Iris florentina, Iris germanica and Iris pallida.
Iris hellenica is a plant species in the genus Iris and the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Saitas Mountain, in the Peloponnese Region of Greece. It has grey-green, sickle-shaped leaves, a tall slender stem, 2–3 white, lavender-blue, lilac or purple flowers and orange/purple beards. It was thought once to be a hybrid species of Iris germanica which also grows in the same area, before being separated into 2 species. It has only recently been published and is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris imbricata is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains, within Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. It has broad, sword-like, yellow green or light green leaves, slender stem with branches, inflated and overlapping green spathes, and 2–5 yellow, pale yellow or greenish yellow flowers.
Iris pseudopallida is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial from Croatia. It has flat, curved of sickle-shaped leaves, tall slender stems, 3–8 fragrant flowers, in shades of violet, or pale violet flowers, mauve, lavender, purple, yellow or white, between May and June. The iris was originally thought to be a separate species, but later classified as subspecies of Iris pallida, known as Iris pallida subsp. pseudopallida, although in Croatia, it is still known as Iris pseudopallida. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, especially in the Balkan regions.
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Iris subbiflora is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Portugal and Spain in Europe. It has evergreen broad leaves, forming dense clumps, it has dwarf stems in late spring,, with 1 upright fragrant flower, in shades of purple, light red purple, grey-blue, blue-violet, or dark violet. It has a beard which is generally blue, purple, or violet, but can fade to white, dull yellow, or dark yellow. After being found in 1804, it was once a separate species until the late 70s, when it was reclassified as subspecies of Iris lutescens, and renamed Iris lutescens subsp. subbiflora. But in the 80s it was returned to an independent species but some authors and references still class the species as a synonym or subspecies. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
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