Iris farreri

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Iris farreri
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Limniris
Section: Iris sect. Limniris
Series: Iris ser. Tenuifoliae
Species:
I. farreri
Binomial name
Iris farreri
Synonyms [1]
  • Iris maximowiczii Grubov
  • Iris polysticta Diels
  • Iris songarica var. gracilisMaxim.

Iris farreri is a beardless iris in the genus Iris , in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has grey-green leaves, long stem and 1 or 2 violet, lilac or light blue flowers. It has undergone several changes of name and series, before being left as Iris farreri.

Contents

Description

Iris farreri is very similar in form to Iris graminea . [2]

It has knobbly and woody rhizomes, [3] which have reddish purple, sheaths and fibers (remains from the past seasons leaves). [3] They create dense tufted clumps of plants. [3] [4]

It has linear, narrow, [2] [5] sword-shaped, greyish-green leaves, 17–70 cm (7–28 in) long and 0.2–0.8 cm (0–0 in) wide. [3] [5] They are finely ribbed and are similar in form to the leaves of Iris humilis or Iris sintenisii. [5] The leaves have a helicopter-like whorl appearance. [4]

It has a 7 mm (in diameter), [3] rounded stem, (not a flattened like species within Series Spuria), [2] that grows up to between 10–50 cm (4–20 in) tall. [5] [6] [7]

It has 3 green, lanceolate, between 7.5–12 cm (3–5 in) long and 1.6–2.5 cm (1–1 in) wide, large spathes (leaves of the flower bud). [3] [5] The highest pair of leaves have a transparent margin, [5] and the outer spathe is keeled. [2] [5]

The stems hold 1 or 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers, [5] blooming in May (in the UK), [2] and between June and August (in China). [3]

The (flat looking) flowers are 7.5–9 cm (3–4 in) in diameter, and come in shades of violet, [3] lilac, [4] [7] or light blue. [8]

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 panduriform (shaped like a fiddle). [3] [5] The first section (near the stem) is 2.5–3 cm (1–1 in) long and 0.5–0.7 cm wide. [3] It has a central white or yellow-white area and purple veining. [3] [5] The oblanceolate outer section, is 1.5 cm long and 0.9 cm wide. [3] [5] With a central white area and purple veining or marking. [5] [6] [7] The standards are narrow, oblanceolate, and as long as, or slightly shorter than, the falls, 3.3–4.5 cm (1–2 in) long and 7–8 mm wide. [3] [5]

It has 4.5–9 cm (2–4 in) long pedicel, a short, 0.3 cm long perianth tube, 3 cm long, pinkish anthers and small, 1 cm long ovary, with 6 ribs and tapering neck. [3] [5]

It has 3.5–4 cm (1–2 in) long style branches, in similar colours to the standards. [3]

It has bright, orange-red pollen and two stigma (looking like fangs). [5]

After the iris has flowered, it produces a cylindric seed capsule, 3.5–7 cm (1–3 in) long and 1.6 cm wide, with a beaked top, between July and September. [3]

Taxonomy

It is written as 多斑鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as duo ban yuan wei in China. [3]

It has the common name of Farrer's Iris. [8]

The Latin specific epithet farreri refers to the traveller and plant collector Reginald Farrer, who had found the plant. [8] [2] Mr Farrer had originally noted that the specimen was found growing in an alpine pasture of south-western China, was Iris graminea (part of the Series Spuriae). [5]

William Rickatson Dykes when researching for his book 'The Genus Iris', found that the specimen did not match other Iris graminea descriptions. It was unique and although it was similar in form to Iris sintenisii and had flowers similar to Iris graminea, it was a species in its own right. He published his notes in The Gardeners' Chronicle magazine on 12 September 1914, p. 185. [5]

It was then published and described as Iris farreri by Dykes in 'Gardener's Chronicle' Series III Vol.57 page175 on 3 April 1915. [10] It was still placed within Series Spuriae.

In 1981, Brian Mathew (within his book 'The Iris') and separately, Yu Tang Zhao (as part of the Flora of China series), re-classified it as part of Series Tenuifoliae. [8] [6] It was then renamed Iris polysticta (with Iris farreri now a synonym). [11] Later in 1987, Fritz Köhlein in his book, 'Iris', thought that it was a form of Iris graminea. [12] The British Iris Society (based on research by Kew Gardens), also agreed with the re-classification (to Tenuifoliae and the name change to Iris polsticta) in their book in 1994. [13]

It was then later, renamed as Iris farreri (with Iris polysticta being the synonym). [1]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003 as Iris farreri. [14]

As of January 2015, it is listed as unchecked by the RHS. [15]

Distribution and habitat

Iris farreri is native to temperate areas of Asia. [14]

Range

It is found in China, [12] [13] and Tibet. [8] [6] [4] Within the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang and Yunnan. [14] [4] [7]

Habitat

It grows within Picea (Spruce) forests, meadows, sunny banks and damp places near riversides. [3] It also grows at altitudes of 2,500 to 3,700 m (8,200 to 12,100 ft) above sea level. [3]

Cultivation

It is not common in cultivation in the UK. It prefers to grow in sandy soils. It needs to be kept dry during winter, needing the protection of bulb frames, and only needs water during the growing season. [7] It is thought best planted between September and October in the UK. [2]

A specimen exists in Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, collected by Harry Smith in 'Sze-ch'uan', China on 9 July 2010. [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Iris graminea</i> species of plant

Iris graminea is a species of flowering plant belonging to the subgenus Limniris of the genus Iris, in particular the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, with purple or violet blue flowers almost hidden by narrow, grass-like leaves, and a plum scented fragrance. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It has several common names, including grass-leaved flag, grass leaved iris, plum iris and plum tart iris. This species naturally occurs in the southern half of Europe, from Spain and France in the West to Russia and the Caucasus in the East.

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

Iris sanguinea is a rhizomatous flowering plant in the genus Iris and in the series Sibiricae. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is one of the species considered a Japanese iris. It is from Asia, found between Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea. It has grey green leaves, an unbranched flowering stem and flowers in reddish-purple shades, from blue to blue-purple, red-violet, with a rare white variant.

Iris henryi is a beardless rhizomatous iris. It is in the genus Iris, subgenus Limniris and in the series Chinenses of the genus, from China. It has thin green leaves, short stem and light-blue, to creamy-white or pale yellow flowers.

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

Iris bulleyana is a species in the genus Iris, also the subgenus Limniris and in the series Sibiricae. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from South west China, including Myanmar and Tibet. It has long thin green leaves,

Iris forrestii is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris, also the subgenus Limniris and in the series Sibiricae. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China and Burma. It has linear grassy-like leaves, long thin stem and fragrant yellow or lemon-yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris minutoaurea is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Chinenses of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial of eastern Asia, native to China and Korea. It has been naturalized in Japan. It has long grassy-like leaves, short stem and bright yellow or pale yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris anguifuga is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has narrow green leaves, long stem and violet or blue flowers.

Iris bungei is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Mongolia, Tibet and China. It has green leaves, short stem and 2 violet, purple, lavender or blue flowers.

Iris kobayashii is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has slightly twisted leaves, short stems and 1 to 2 purple or blue and yellow flowers.

Iris qinghainica is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has grey green leaves, a very short stem and 1–2 blue or violet flowers.

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

Iris tenuifolia is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from a wide region over central Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, ; Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia and in China. It has long greyish-green leaves, short stem and pale violet, lilac, pale blue, or purple flowers.

Iris ventricosa is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Asia and the Russian Federation, to Mongolia and China. It has grey-green leaves, short flowers stems and 1–2 pale violet or pale blue flowers.

Iris kerneriana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a small rhizomatous perennial plant, with fragrant, yellow flowers from Turkey. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and known as Kerner Iris or Kerner's Iris.

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

Iris halophila is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with yellow, white or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It comes from a wide range from eastern Europe to China in Asia. It was known for a long while as a subspecies of Iris spuria, before being treated as a separate species in its own right.

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

Iris pontica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a dwarf rhizomatous perennial plant from eastern Europe, the Causcasus region and Russia, with a short stem and violet-blue and white flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris sintenisii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae, with tall thin stems, violet-blue flowers and long grass-like leaves. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from grass meadows parts of Europe, Russia, and Turkey. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris bloudowii 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 Russia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China, with sickle-shaped leaves, slender stem and 2 bright or pale yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris mandshurica 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, it is found in Russia, China, and Korea. It has green sword-like leaves, smooth green stem and yellow flowers, with yellow-purple veining and a yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris hookeriana is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Himalayan mountains of India and Pakistan. It has long pale green or yellow green leaves, long slender stem and fragrant blue, purple or lilac flowers, that are mottled with a darker colour. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris sambucina, the elder scented iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from southern and central Europe, and Spain. It has green, curved or sword-like leaves, tall round stem, multiple flowers in shades from brown violet, or brown-purple, to purple-violet, blue violet, mauve, and to purple. The large flowers are fragrant, with the scent of elderflowers, hence the name. It was first considered a separate species, then it was classified as a synonym of Iris germanica, before being classified as a separate species again, but with a hybrid origin from Iris pallida and Iris variegata. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

References

  1. 1 2 "Iris farreri Dykes is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dykes, William (2009). "Handbook of Garden Irises" (PDF). beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises). Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "FOC Vol. 24 Page 305". efloras.org (Flora of China). Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Basak Gardner and Chris Gardner Flora of the Silk Road: The Complete Illustrated Guide , p. 273, at Google Books
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Dykes, William. "Dykes on Iris" (PDF). beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises). Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 139. ISBN   978-0-88192-089-5.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Black, John (12 October 2014). "(SPEC) Iris farreri Dykes". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  9. ↑ Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN   978-0881927306. OL   8176432M.}
  10. ↑ Iridaceae Iris farreri Dykes. ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  11. ↑ Mahan, Clarence (January 1998). "International News". worldiris.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Iris farreri Dykes". asianflora.com. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  13. 1 2 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 194, at Google Books
  14. 1 2 3 "Iris farreri". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "Iris farreri". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "Syntype of Iris polysticta Diels [family IRIDACEAE]". jstor.org. Retrieved 22 January 2015.Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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