Iris damascena

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Iris damascena
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. damascena
Binomial name
Iris damascena

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.

Contents

Description

The species is very similar in form to Iris sofarana , another Oncocyclus iris, [2] [3] from Syria and Lebanon. [4] It has a short and compact brown rhizome, [5] [6] thick secondary roots and fine root hairs. [3] Above the rhizome, there are 5-8 curved or falcate leaves of green or grey-green color. [4] [5] [6] The narrow leaves, [4] Leaves can grow up to 27–35 cm (11–14 in) long and up to 1 cm wide. [3] [6] They fade in winter and reappear in spring. [3] It has a slender stem or peduncle, [6] that can grow 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall. [7] [8] The stem has 1 or 2 spathes (leaf of the flower bud), which are inflated, slightly pale violet-purple tinged and up to 10 cm (4 in) long. [6] It holds one terminal (top of stem) flower, blooming between March, [5] and April. [9] The large flowers are between 9–16 cm (4–6 in) in diameter. [4] [3] [10] They are bi-coloured, [3] [8] and have a creamy white, [5] [6] [8] grey-white, [11] or white ground, [2] [3] [10] which is covered in brown-purple, [7] [6] [10] or purple, [11] [5] veining, or spotting. [2] [8] [10] The veining is similar to the veining on the flowers of I. sofarana. [6] 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'. [12] The falls are obovate to elliptic shaped, [5] [6] and up to 8 cm (3 in) long and 5 cm wide. [5] [6] They are more marked than the standards, [7] [3] In the centre of the falls, it has a small elliptical signal patch, 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide, [5] [6] which is dark purple, [5] [6] [8] or blackish. [3] [10] Also, in the middle of the falls, is a sparse, [5] [7] [6] row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is dark purple, [5] [3] or purple. [7] [6] [8] The paler standards are oval and up to 9 cm (4 in) long and 6 cm wide. [5] [6] They have thinner, [10] or finer veining and small dots than the falls. [11] [5] [6] They have anthers about 2.5 cm long. [6] After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule that has not yet been described.

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [12] A 1977 analysis of the genome of 47 species of Oncocyclus irises showed that the species has a chromosome count of 2n=20. [7] [13]

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet damascena refers to coming from Damascus, Syria. [14] [15] In 1693, the name Iris damascena was used for a species of Polyanthus , [16] [17] This name was later ignored due to Linnaeus' genus re-classification in 1753. [4] [11]

On 23 March 1951, a specimen of the iris (now stored at the Herbarium Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève in Switzerland) was collected from a mountain in Syria. [18] In 1957, the species and several other iris species from Syria were described by Werckmeister. [5] The species was first formally described by Paul Mouterde in 'Nouv. Fl. Liban & Syrie' Vol.i n page 318 in 1966. [19] [20] [21]

Distribution and habitat

The species is known only from the eastern slopes of Mount Qasioun north of Damascus, part of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. [9] [13] [22] It grows on calcareous soils in association with low alpine vegetation and grasses, at an altitude of 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level. [1] [2]

Conservation

When first described by Mouterde in 1966, the species was assessed as "at risk" due to human collection of the rhizomes and the selling of the flowers in the roadside trade. [1] The species was reported by Chaudhary in 1975 to be in danger of extinction, [5] [2] [6] and although it was declared 'extinct' by some sources in 2013, [23] as of 2016 it is assessed as Critically endangered by the IUCN. An estimated 100 clumps of plants currently remain. [1] A field study in 2011 declared the species to be highly endangered. [22] The Syrian government has not yet given the species any protected status.

The remaining population may benefit from the fact that part of its habitat is in a military area near the 'Qassioun Republican Guards Military Base' and other military facilities, which stops civilians accessing the area. [1] [22] The base and steepness of the habitat also stops construction or development. [1]

Cultivation

The species is very rare in cultivation due to being highly endangered. [10] If grown, it prefers to grow in a sunny, well drained, rocky habitat. [1] [22] [24] In northern Europe or the US, it needs to be planted under glass within a greenhouse or glasshouse, in an alkaline soil (with limestone chippings). It should be planted in March, then dug up in September or October and stored in wood shavings. The plants can be harmed by aphids. [24]

Hybrids and Cultivars

I. damascena has two known cultivars: 'Qassioumensis' [7] and 'Magnifica'. The latter, also known as 'I. Damascena cv. Magnifica', [7] is cream-colored with purple markings, dark purple signal and purple beard. [25]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), and if ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [26]

Related Research Articles

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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 barnumiae</i> Species of plant

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 in 2011, but is still sometimes 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 describe the basic form. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its 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.

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

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> 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</i> Species of plant

Iris iberica 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 the Caucasus mountains of Armenia, eastern Georgia, and western Azerbaijan. It has narrow, glaucous, gray-green and sickle shaped leaves, short stem holding a single flower in late spring. Which has a pale background covered with heavy veining in pale mauve, violet, dark purple, maroon or purple-brown. It has a black or dark purple signal patch and a brown or purple-brown beard. Although, it has many hybrid forms dues to its variability and has 2 known subspecies of Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima and Iris iberica subsp. lycotis. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it is hardier than other Oncocyclus species.

<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 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.

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

Iris sari is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in section Oncocyclus. It is from the rocky steppes and hills of Turkey. It has curved or straight leaves, cream, greenish or yellowish flowers which are variable and veined with crimson, purple-brown, reddish brown, reddish-purple or black. It has a dark maroon, rich crimson or brown signal patch and gold or yellow beard.

<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 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 3 4 5 6 7 Sapir, Y. (2016). "Iris damascena". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T13161620A18611035. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T13161620A18611035.en .
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Dominguez, Rafael Diez (27 July 2007). "Iris damascena". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Chapter I (Part 5) Oncocyclus II" (in French). irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises . Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p.  69. ISBN   978-0715305393.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 75, at Google Books
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Weymouth; Chaudhary (1975). "Iris damascena". Botaniska Notiser. 128.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pries, Bob (22 July 2016). "(SPEC) Iris damascena Mouterde". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  9. 1 2 Rizumi, Muammar. "Iris damascena" (in Arabic). fsol.net.sy. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Iris damascena". rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. ISBN   978-0-88192-089-5.
  12. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   978-0881927306.
  13. 1 2 Avishai, Michael; Zohary, Daniel (1977). "Chromosomes in the Oncocyclus Irises". Botanical Gazette . 138 (4): 502–511. doi:10.1086/336956. JSTOR   2473887. S2CID   84941000.
  14. ↑ David Gledhill The Names of Plants , p. 133, at Google Books
  15. ↑ Stearn, William (1973). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). London: Cassell (published 1963). ISBN   978-0304937219.
  16. ↑ Richard Weston The Universal Botanist and Nurseryman, Volumes 3-4 (1963) , p. 422, at Google Books
  17. ↑ John Ray (Editor) A Collection of Curious Travels and Voyages, in Two Tomes: The First containing Dr Leonhart Rauwulf's Itinerary into the Eastern Countries as Syria, Palestine, or the Holy Land, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Assyria, Chaldea, and Translated from the High Dutch by Nicholas Staphorst. , p. 11, at Google Books
  18. ↑ "Iris damascena Mouterde [family IRIDACEAE]" . Retrieved 12 September 2016.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ↑ "Iridaceae Iris damascena Mouterde". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  20. ↑ "Iris damascena". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "Iris damascena". eol.org. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Al-Faham, Amr (19 January 2016). "Factors Driving the Destruction of Syria's Natural Heritage". atlantoccouncil.org. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  23. ↑ Christopher Cumo (Editor) Encyclopedia of Cultivated Plants: From Acacia to Zinnia Volume 1: A-F (2013) , p. 531, at Google Books
  24. 1 2 "Oncocyclus Iris". www.rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  25. ↑ "I. DAMASCENA CV. MAGNIFICA". arilsociety.org. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  26. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

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