Iris auranitica

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Iris auranitica
Iris aurantiaca in southern Syria.jpg
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. auranitica
Binomial name
Iris auranitica
Synonyms [1]
  • Iris auranitica var. unicolorMouterde
  • Iris auranitica f. wilkianaChaudhary, G.Kirkw. & C.Weymouth

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 (between light yellow to mustard), 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.

Contents

Description

It is a geophyte, [2] which has small rhizomes, that are on the surface of the soil, so that they can feel the heat of the sun. Under the rhizome, they have extremely long secondary roots. [3]

It has greyish-green, semi-evergreen leaves, which are thin and can grow up to between 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long. The rhizomes and leaves form small clumps of plants. [3]

It has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. [4] [5] [6]

The stems hold terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming in mid-season, [4] or spring, [7] in May. [3] In cultivation, they flower as late as June. [8] The fragranced flowers, [3] come in shades of yellow, [5] [6] from light yellow to mustard, [3] or bronze, [4] [6] and gold. [8] In the wild, there is a great deal of variety in flower colour. [8] 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 falls are orbiculate (or circular) or pendulum shaped, with [4] a maroon or reddish, [6] signal patch, [8] [4] and red, [4] or brown veining. [3] They also have brown spots. [5] [6] [7] In the middle of the falls, is a dense, [7] row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is dark yellow, [3] or bright yellow with purple red tips. [4] [6] It has similar coloured standards that do not have dots or veins. [4]

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

Biochemistry

A study was carried out in 2013, to find out what oils are contained in the rhizomes of various irises in Syria, including Iris germanica , Iris barnumiae , Iris bostrensis and in I. auranitica. It found myristic acid, lauric acid, decanoic acid (capric acid), palmitic acid and methyl ester.[ citation needed ]

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 Marc Simonet and then by Awishai & Zohary in 1980, [4] as 2n = 20. [3] [6]

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet auranitica refers to resembling an orange or orange-coloured. [10] [11] Also 'Auranitis' is an alternative to Hauran, Syria, where the iris is found. [8]

It is sometimes misspelt as Iris aurantica. [12]

It was first discovered by John Edward Dinsmore, in Tell Quleib (a hill near As-Suwayda, [13] ) in Syria, [8] then he published and described the iris in 'Flora Syria' edition 2 (Palest. & Sinai) on page 601 in 1933. [1] [12] [14]

Then again in Nat. Sc. Ser. No. 1; Publ. Am. Univ. Beirut, No.3, 1934, [14] and in Gardening Illustrated 56 on page 389 on 30 June 1934. [4]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 1 December 2004. [12]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia. [12]

Range

It is found in southern Syria, [12] [5] [15] including Jab. Kulavb, [4] [6] and El Hauran. [16]

It is listed as endemic plant of Syria, along with 200 other vascular plants including Iris assadiana (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 on volcanic lava, [5] and dry rocky soils. [3] [16]

Conservation

It is a very rare iris, [15] under threat of extinction. [3]

Cultivation

It is hardy to European Zone H4, [7] meaning hardy to −5 to −10 °C (23 to 14 °F). [18]

It is difficult to cultivate unless it has a hot and dry summer conditions. [3]

Propagation

Irises can generally be propagated by division, [19] or by seed growing. Irises generally require a period of cold, then a period of warmth and heat, also they need some moisture. Some seeds need stratification, (the cold treatment), which can be carried out indoors or outdoors. Seedlings are generally potted on (or transplanted) when they have 3 leaves. [20]

Hybrids and cultivars

Ii has various cultivars including 'Unicolor' and 'Wilkiana'. [4]

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

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.

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>

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 darks 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.

Iris barnumiae 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 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. It has pale glaucous green and narrow leaves, that are slightly sickle-shaped and fade soon after blooming. It has in mid to late spring, fragrant flowers in shades of purple, from red-purple, mulberry to purplish-violet, with a yellow tipped with purple beard. It was renamed as I. barnumiae in after a plant naming conference, but is still named as I. barnumae in some sources. It has one accepted subspecies Iris barnumiae subsp. demawendica and two forms; Iris barnumiae f. protonyma (Stapf) B.Mathew & Wendelbo and Iris barnumiae f. urmiensis (Hoog) B.Mathew & Wendelbo, which has yellow flowers. Sometimes I. barnumiae f. barnumiae is used to described the basic form. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to it needing very dry and warm summer conditions.

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 gatesii 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 mountains of Turkey and Iraq. It has long, narrow, grey-green or glaucous leaves. The strong, sturdy stem supports a single large flower in spring, between April and June. The large flowers are very variable in colouring, ranging from a pale greenish, grey, white, or creamy-yellow background colour, which is then covered with many purplish-brown, purple, or nearly black, spots, dots, short broken lines, or veining. They have a brownish purple or purple beard, over a dark signal patch. It can be cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, if it does not get too wet during summer.

<i>Iris hermona</i>

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 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 petrana</i> species of plant

Iris petrana, 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.

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 meda is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the desert mountains and hills of Persia and has long grey-green leaves with cream, pale yellow or yellow flowers, which have purple or dark brown patches and yellow beards.

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 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 auranitica Dinsm. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Ghazal, Abdullah (2008). "Landscape Ecological, Phytosociological and Geobotanical Study of Eu-Mediterranean in West of Syria" (PDF). opus.uni-hohenheim.de (University of Hohenhiem). Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "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 Black, John (19 January 2016). "(SPEC) Iris auranitica Dinsm". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Dominguez, Rafael Diez (27 July 2007). "Iris auranitica". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) , p. 249, at Google Books
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Werckmeister, Peter (1963). "Bulletin of the American Iris Society, no. 169: 29–30 (1963), The Iris Auranitica of Syria (Translated by George Hacklaender)". bulbnrose.x10.mx. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  9. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   978-0881927306.
  10. ↑ David Gledhill The Names of Plants , p. 62, at Google Books
  11. ↑ Stearn, William (1973). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). London: Cassell (published 1963). p. 50. ISBN   978-0304937219.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Iris auranitica". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Tell Abu Quleib" . Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Iridaceae Iris auranitica Dinsm". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  15. 1 2 Kerry Scott Walter, Harriet J. Gillett, World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants , p. 678, at Google Books
  16. 1 2 "MarHaba from Damascus". rsabg.org. 21 April 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Syria". lntreasures.com. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "Plant Hardiness". theseedsite.co. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  20. ↑ Waters, Tom (December 2010). "Growing Irises from Seed". telp.com. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  21. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

Sources

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