Iris glaucescens

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Iris glaucescens
Iris glaucescens.jpg
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. Pogon
Species:
I. glaucescens
Binomial name
Iris glaucescens
Synonyms [1]

Iris eulefeldii

Iris glaucescens is a plant species in the genus Iris and subgenus Iris . It is a rhizomatous perennial, found in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has blue-grey sickle-shaped leaves, slender stem, and spring flowers in blue-violet, pale violet, lilac-purple, to deep purple, to light bluish, and almost white shades. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and became a synonym of Iris scariosa , before being divided into two separate species again, although some sources still call it a synonym of Iris scariosa.

Contents

Description

It has a thick rhizome, which is up to 3 cm thick and nodular. It has the fibrous remains of last seasons leaves, on top of the rhizome. [2]

It has falcate (sickle-shaped), [3] [4] blue-grey, [3] or grey. [2] [5]

It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 8–25 cm (3–10 in) tall. [1] [2] [6] It is similar in height to Iris scariosa, [6] and exceeds the height of the leaves. [2]

The stem has (scarious) membranous, spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long with long keels. [3]

The stems hold 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers, [2] blooming between mid to late spring, [3] between April and May. [2] [7] It flowers for an average of 12 days. [3]

The flowers are 3.5–5.5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, [3] come in shades of blue-violet, [1] [6] pale violet, [6] lilac-purple, [2] to deep purple, [6] to light bluish, and almost white tones. [3]

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'. [8] :17 It also has white beards on the falls. [2]

After the iris has flowered, in midsummer, [3] it produces an fusiform (spindle shaped) seed capsule. [2] Inside the capsule, are wrinkled, dark brown, [2] and globular seeds. They are 4–5.5 mm long and 2–3 mm wide. [3]

Research

In 2012, a study was carried out 2 Siberian based irises, Iris glaucescens and Iris bloudowii . [9]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [8] :18 It has a chromosome count of 2n=24. [10]

Taxonomy

It has the common names of 'bluish iris' [4] [11] and 'iris dove'. [3]

The Latin specific epithet glaucescens refers to developing a fine whitish bloom, bluish-green, seagreen, or glaucous, [12] [13] referring to the plant's glaucous leaves. [14]

In Paris Museum of Natural History, a herbarium was started by a French geologist Patren, who collected plants from Siberia. German botanist Carl Friedrich von Ledebour also worked at the herbarium for several years with his students Alexander Andrejewitsch Bunge and Carl Anton von Meyer. They discovered and described many new plants, including Iris bloudowii , Iris glaucescens, Iris tigridia and others. [15]

It was first published and described by Alexander Bunge in 'Flora Altaic' (Fl. Altaic edited by Ledebour) Vol. 1 on page 58 in 1829. [16] [17] [18]

In 1870, specimens of Iris glaucescens were collected in 'Songaria', China (Songaria is now part of Gansu) for the Paris Museum of Natural History. [19]

It was then later classified as a synonym of Iris scariosa by botanists including William Rickatson Dykes in 1913 and G. Rodionenko's descriptions in the Iris Year Book of 1967. [20]

In 1979, Shevchenko (Iris L. in A.I.Galushko (editor) Flora Severnogo Kavkaza Vol. 3 page 79, University of Rostov) divided Iris glaucescens and Iris scariosa into 2 separate species. [1] [18] He thought that there was several morphological and ecological differences between the two species, but he did not publish these. He noted that the Iris scariosa distribution range was limited to west of the Caspian Sea. [20] This range classification is disputed by other authors, although most sources still split the two irises into separate species.

It is still listed as a synonym of Iris scariosa by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service as of 4 September 2015. [17]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life . [21]

It is listed in The Plant List, but listed without synonyms. [22]

Iris glaucescens is not yet an accepted name by the RHS, as of 6 October 2015.

Distribution and habitat

It is native in middle Asia, [23] and central Asia. [24] [25]

Range

It is unsure where Iris glaucescens is endemic due to the merging with Iris scarious which also has a very similar range as well, although Iris scariosa is only found near the Caspian Sea and Caucasia. [10]

It is found in Russia (within Siberia, [9] [18] [23] Barnaul [2] ), China, [3] [23] Mongolia, [18] [23] [25] and Kazakhstan (north of the Aral Sea to the east of Balkash [1] [6] ). [3] [23]

It was also found in the former Russian Turkestan khanates of Bukhara and Khiva, [24] now in Uzbekistan.

It is listed with Iris biglumis , Iris bloudowii , Iris ruthenica , Iris sibirica , Iris tenuifolia and Iris tigridia (another Pseudoregelia iris) in the Altai-Sayan region (where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together). [26]

Habitat

It grows on the mountains, [25] of steppes, [2] [9] [23] on rocky slopes, [2] [6] [25] in sand. [6] [23] [25]

They can be found at an altitude of up to 2,700 m (8,900 ft) above sea level. [10] [25]

Conservation

In Russia, it was listed in the Red book of Omsk region as apparently extinct. [4] [11]

It is listed in the Red book of the Altai Territory (in 2006), [2] [9] [11] as rare, [3] [4] [10] in the Red book of Krasnoyarsk territory (in 2005), also in the Red book of Novosibirsk ob-region (in 2008), [9] [11] and in the Red book of Chelyabinsk region. [11]

It is not protected under law, [4] but it is found in Kulunda Steppe reserve. [2] It is found in 48 locations, with up to 20,000 plants. [2]

It was confined to land that is also used as grazing or arable land, [9] or ploughing of fallow plots. [2]

Cultivation

It is hardy to between USDA Zone 2 and Zone 3. [6]

It was tested for hardiness in Russia, at the botanical gardens of Barnaul, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg (where it winters without shelter), Ufa (it produces seeds), but it has proved difficult to cultivate. [4] As it needs hot summers and dry winters. [6]

It prefers to grow in well-drained sandy soils. [20]

It can be grown in rock gardens, [3] [4] as well as for perennial borders as an early spring plant. [4] [23]

It does suffer in waterlogged soils, that may rot the rhizomes. [4]

It is rarely available for cultivation. [20]

Hybrids and cultivars

The plant may attract plant breeders for cross-breeding with other types of dwarf irises due to its drought and salt resistance. [23]

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. [27]

Related Research Articles

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Iris sibirica, commonly known as Siberian iris or Siberian flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Europe and Central Asia. It has long green grass-like leaves, tall stem, 2–5 violet-blue, to blue, and occasionally white flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<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.

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

Iris lactea is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Limniris and is the only species in the series Ensatae. The Japanese water iris, Iris ensata, is actually in series Laevigatae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from central Asia, with pale blue or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris ruthenica, sometimes called ever blooming iris, Russian iris, pilgrim iris and Hungarian iris, is a species in the genus Iris- subgenus Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, with a wide distribution, ranging from eastern Europe to Central Asia. It has grass-like leaves, thick stem and violet or bluish lavender flowers which are marked with violet veining.

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

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Iris loczyi 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 area of Asia, including Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Tibet and China. It has long thin grey green leaves, long stems and 1 flower in pale violet, blue violet, lavender or light blue.

<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.

<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.

Iris ludwigii, with the common name Ludwig iris, is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Iris subg. Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant with violet-blue flowers. It is native to the Altai Mountains in Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan meet. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris falcifolia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Hexapogon. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It is a small plant, with sickle-shaped greyish-green leaves, lilac-violet flowers and darker veining, and a white or yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in dry, 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.

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

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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 potaninii</i> Species of flowering plant

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

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<i>Iris tigridia</i> Species of plant of the genus Iris

Iris tigridia 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 Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and China. It has dark green or greyish green, grass-like leaves, a short slender stem and a single flowers that are either violet, dark blue, blue-purple, dark purple, mauve, lilac, lavender, or light purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris scariosa is a plant species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial from the mountainsides of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has sword-like, or sickle shaped, blue green or grey-green leaves, a short flowering stem, 3 or 4 membranous or semi-transparent flower bud leaves, 2 violet, reddish violet, lilac, blue-purple, or blue flowers in late spring, with yellow or white beards. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and Iris glaucescens became a synonym of Iris scariosa, before being divided into two separate species again. Although some sources still call it the main species, despite a slight colour difference.

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

Iris subbiflora is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Portugal and Spain in Europe. It has evergreen broad leaves, forming dense clumps, it has dwarf stems in late spring,, with 1 upright fragrant flower, in shades of purple, light red purple, grey-blue, blue-violet, or dark violet. It has a beard which is generally blue, purple, or violet, but can fade to white, dull yellow, or dark yellow. After being found in 1804, it was once a separate species until the late 70s, when it was reclassified as subspecies of Iris lutescens, and renamed Iris lutescens subsp. subbiflora. But in the 80s it was returned to an independent species but some authors and references still class the species as a synonym or subspecies. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris timofejewii is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris, and also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountain slopes of the Caucasus and Dagestan. It has narrow, evergreen, falcate (sickle-shaped), grey-green (glaucous) leaves, and a short flowering stem just taller than the leaves. Each stem has 1–2 flowers in shades of violet, with white beards that have purple tips. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

References

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Sources

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