Iris danfordiae, the dwarf iris or Danford iris, is a bulbousperennial 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.
Iris danfordiae has a narrowly ovoid,[3] bulb,[4] with whitish netted coats.[5]
It has 2 leaves (per bulb),[5][6]30–45cm (12–18in) tall.[7] They are linear,[8] four-angled in cross section,[6][9] and gray-green,[8] or bluish green.[5] The leaves sometimes appear together with the flowers,[8] and sometimes after the flowers.[6]
It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 7–15cm (3–6in) tall.[6][7][8] They hold 1 flower each.[5][8]
It is one of the first reticulata irises to bloom,[10][11] even blooming through the snow.[12] In early spring,[4][7] between January,[7] and March.[9]
It has fragrant (scented of honey,[10]) flowers,[13] in shades of yellow.[14] From bright yellow,[10][15][16] deep yellow,[8] to orange.[9] The flowers are 3–6cm (1–2in) in diameter.[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'.[17]:17 The falls are spathulate (spoon shaped),[8] and spotted olive-green,[8][9] or green.[6][11][16] In the centre of the falls is a deep yellow or orange crest.[14][10] The standards are vert short,[8][14] in some cases just bristles.[6][16]
Later after flowering, it produces a seed capsule.[8]
Genetics
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[17]:18 It was counted in 1959 by Randolph & Mitra as 2n=27, then in 1997 by Johnson & Brandham as 2n=18 and 27.[3][14]
Taxonomy
It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (aphylla) dan-FORD-ee-ay (danfordiae).[15] It is commonly known as dwarf iris,[18]buttercup Iris,[15] or Danford's iris.[15][9][19]
This species was introduced from Cilicia,[20]Turkey in 1876, by Mrs C. G. Danford (an English plant hunter of the Asia minor regions).[16][21]
It was first published and described as Xiphion danfordiae Baker and described by John Gilbert Baker in J. Bot. Vol.14 n page 265 in 1876.[3] It was then reclassified and published as Iris danfordiae by Pierre Edmond Boissier in 'Fl. Orient.' Vol.5 on page 124 in July 1882.[1][20]
It grows on exposed dry rocky and sunny slopes, at the edges of coniferous forests or woods,[14] close to the snowline.[8][6] It is normally found at an altitude of 1,000–2,000m (3,300–6,600ft) above sea level.[8][6]
Cultivation
It is cold hardy,[14] to between USDA Zones 5 - 9.[18][9][15] It is sometimes deemed less reliably perennial than other bulbs.[11]
It prefers to grow in neutral to alkaline soils, which are high in potassium and phosphate. It prefers sandy and well drained soils both in summer and winter.[12] It prefers positions in full sun.[8][15]
During mild season the bulb and plant is susceptible to slug damage.[6]
Propagation
It can be propagated by division or by seed growing. Seeds are best grown by collecting dry, mature seed capsules, and sowing the seeds.[15]
Division, is carried out by lifting the main bulb and splitting into many bulblets,[6] that (once replanted) can take many years to reach flowering size.[6][24] This is best carried out when the foliage has died down.[25]
The bulbs should be planted deeply to flower reliably in later seasons.[10]
Hybrids and cultivars
Iris danfordiae has the following cultivars: 'Atilla', 'Bornmülleri', 'Danfordiae Hort'.[3]
Toxicity
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.[15][26]
Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource on www.skud.info). 2012 (Kulturvaxtdatabas)
Davis, P. H., ed. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. 1965-1988 (F Turk)
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