Iris danfordiae

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Iris danfordiae
20240218 Iris danfordiae-3.tif
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. Hermodactyloides
Section: Iris sect. Reticulatae
Species:
I. danfordiae
Binomial name
Iris danfordiae
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • Iridodictyum danfordiae(Baker) Nothdurft
  • Iris amasianaBornm. ex Hausskn.
  • Iris bornmuelleriHausskn.
  • Iris crociformisFreyn
  • Juno danfordiae(Baker) Klatt
  • Xiphion danfordiaeBaker

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.

Contents

Description

Iris danfordiae has a narrowly ovoid, [3] bulb, [4] with whitish netted coats. [5]

It has 2 leaves (per bulb), [5] [6] 30–45 cm (12–18 in) 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 7–15 cm (3–6 in) 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 3–6 cm (1–2 in) 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

Iris danfordiae 5.JPG

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]

Iris danfordiae is an accepted name by the RHS, [22] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 23 January 1989, then updated on 2 December 2004. [2]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia, [2] mainly Asia Minor. [9]

Range

It grows in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. [10] [6] [14]

Habitat

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 1,000–2,000 m (3,300–6,600 ft) above sea level. [8] [6]

Cultivation

Iris-danfordiae-flowers.jpg

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]

It is suitable for a rock or gravel garden or front of border. [23]

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]

Related Research Articles

<i>Iris</i> (plant) Genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae

Iris is a flowering plant genus of 310 accepted species with showy flowers. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also widely used as a common name for all Iris species, as well as some belonging to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is flags, while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as junos, particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower.

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

Iris bucharica is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is a bulbous herbaceous perennial, from temperate Asia, within Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has long blue green leaves, many flowers in spring, in shades of yellow and white.

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

Iris histrioides, the orchis iris, winter iris or Harput iris, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris, subgenus Hermodactyloides of the family Iridaceae. It is a bulbous perennial, that is native to Turkey, and has bluish scented flowers. It is cultivated as a plant for ornamental purposes in temperate regions, and has many known cultivars.

<i>Iris reticulata <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> bakeriana</i> Variety of flowering plant

Iris reticulata var. bakeriana is a variety of Iris reticulata, a plant in the genus Iris. It is sometimes treated as Iris bakeriana, especially in the USA.

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

Iris hyrcana, the Hyrcana iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from central Asia, from Azerbaijan to Iran.

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

Iris kolpakowskiana, or Kolpakowski's iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Monolepsis. It is a bulbous perennial from Asia.

Iris pamphylica is a plant species in the genus Iris. It is the largest member of the subgenus Hermodactyloides, it is also in the section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from Antalya Province in Turkey, Asia. It has long narrow leaves, shorter stem holding a bi-coloured flower in shades of purple, blue or purple-brown, with a yellow, purple-spotted section on a petal.

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

Iris winogradowii is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris, classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

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

Iris histrio, the Syrian iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and southern Turkey.

<i>Iris tingitana</i> Species of plant in the family Iridaceae

Iris tingitana is a species in the genus Iris in the subgenus of Xiphium.

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

Iris fosteriana is a species in the genus Iris, subgenus Scorpiris.

Iris vicaria is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Asia, found in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It has tall arching leaves, and has varied coloured flowers, with white, blue and purple between April and May.

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

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.

Iris griffithii is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan. It has short, sickle-shaped leaves, short green stem and purple flowers with white beards. Several specimens exist within herbaria around Europe, but it is rarely cultivated.

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

Iris suaveolens is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Eastern Europe, ranging from the Balkans to Turkey. It has short, sickle shaped or curved, blue-green or greyish green leaves, a slender simple stem, with 1 or 2 fragrant spring blooming, flowers, between yellow and purple, with white or yellow beards. It was once known as Iris mellita, until that was re-classified as a synonym of Iris suaveolens. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris acutiloba is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of the Caucasus and found in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Dagestan in the North Caucasus, and Iran. It is a dwarf species, with narrow, falcate or curved leaves, it has one flower in spring or early summer, that comes in shades from cream, creamy white, whitish, pale brown, light grey, to pale violet. It is heavily veined or streaked and pointed, with 2 dark spots and brown, purple, dark purple, or black short beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. There are two subspecies, Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata and Iris acutiloba subsp. longitepala.

<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 Israel. 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.

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>Tulipa eichleri</i> Species of plant in the genus Tulipa

Tulipa eichleri, commonly known as Eichler tulip or Eichler's tulip, is a species of tulip. It is a bulbous flowering perennial with long green leaves,deep red flowers with a central black blotch, coming from the Caucasus Mountains.

<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.

References

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  21. MATHEW, BRIAN (1 May 2007). "Irises: An expert reveals the secrets of growing the jewel-like reticulatas". hortmag.com. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  22. "Iris danfordiae". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
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Other sources

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Iris danfordiae at Wikimedia Commons Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Iris danfordiae at Wikispecies