Iris heweri

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Iris heweri
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Iris
Section: Iris sect. Regelia
Species:
I. heweri
Binomial name
Iris heweri
Synonyms [1]

No synonyms known

Iris heweri is a plant species in the genus Iris , it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan. It has tall, green curved leaves, tall slender stems and purple blue or violet-blue flowers, with white and purple or lilac beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Contents

Description

It is similar in form to Iris falcifolia (in the Hexapogon Section) but differs in having a looser rhizome system and the leaves are also different. [2]

It has a small and slender rhizome, that is 0.5 cm in diameter. [2] [3] It has several stolons (branches), that are between 1–5 cm long. [2] On top of the rhizome, are the fibrous remains of last seasons leaves. [2]

It has 4–7, [2] grey-green, [3] or green leaves. [2] [4] They are falcate (or sickle shaped), [3] [4] [5] with membranous margins. [2] The leaves can grow up to 14–15 cm (6–6 in) long, [3] they are shorter (than the flowering stem) at the time of blooming. [2] [3] They are between 0.2 – 0.5 cm wide. [2] [3] [4] [5]

It has a stem that can grow up to between 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall, but occasionally they can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) tall. [2] [4] [5] [6] [7]

The stem has spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long. [2] The stems hold 1–3 terminal (top of stem) flowers, [2] [6] blooming late spring, [4] or May. [2]

The flowers are 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, [2] [4] [5] come in shades of purple blue, [2] [3] [5] [7] or violet-blue flowers [6]

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] The falls are elliptic and oblanceolate shaped and 3.5–4.5 cm (1–2 in) long, [4] and between 1.25–1.5 cm wide. [2] It has a sharply reflexed blade and dense central beard of white hairs, which are tipped in purple or lilac. [2] The haft (section closest to the stem) is whitish veined with purple. [2] The erect standards are narrowly obovate and 3.5–4.5 cm (1–2 in) long, [4] and between 1–1.25 cm wide. [2] It has a cuneate (wedge shaped) haft with sparse beard extending onto blade. [2]

It has a 1.5 cm long perianth tube and a 1.4 cm long pale purple style, that is elliptical (in shaped) and has slightly wavy margins. It is also tri-lobed and the lobs are triangular and 0.9 cm long. [2] It has a 0.5 cm long white filament, 1.1–1.3 cm long anthers and creamy white pollen. [2]

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule, which is 3.5 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. It has a short pedicel and the remains of the perianth tube can still be found at the top of the capsule. Inside, are 0.4 cm long and 0.25 cm wide, dark brown seeds, which are rough coated with white aril (appendage). [2]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [8] It has a chromosome count: 2n = 22 [3] [7]

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet heweri refers to Professor Thomas Frederick Hewer (born 12 April 1903 - 15 March 1994), who became a practising pathologist in 1935. He was then appointed senior lecturer in pathology at the University of Liverpool. [9] When he retired in 1959, [10] he went on several plant hunting expeditions to the Alps, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan. [9] He collected over 4800 specimens (pressed and living). [10] These new found plants were given to the botanical gardens at Kew, Edinburgh and Cambridge. He also discovered 20 new plant species, three of which; Iris heweri, Acantholimon heweri and Bellavalia heweri , were later named after him. [9] [10]

Specimens of Iris heweri were originally collected by Prof Hewer in 1969. [2] [11]

It was first published and described by Grey-Wilson and Mathew in Kew Bulletin Vol.29, page67 on 27 June 1974. [11] [12] [13] [14]

It was also published in the 'Iris Year Book', pages106 and 117 in 1973. [14]

An illustration of the iris, was published in the 'Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society' Vol.99, page87 in 1974. [4]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 2 December 2004. [12]

Iris heweri is an accepted name by the RHS. [15]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia. [12] [13] [14]

Range

It is found in Afghanistan. [4] [5] [7] [12] [13]

It is found within several Provinces of Afghanistan, in Baghlan Province, [2] Balkh Province and Zabul Province. [16]

Habitat

It grows on alpine meadows, [2] screes, grassy and sandy slopes. [2] [3] [5]

They can be found at an altitude of 1,100–2,200 metres (3,600–7,200 ft) above sea level. [2] [3] [5]

Cultivation

It is hardy to European Zone H4, [4] in most other areas, it can be grown in an alpine house or bulb frame. [2] [5]

It prefers to grow in well-drained soils, in sunny situations. [3]

It is rarely found in nurseries. [3] [5]

Related Research Articles

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Iris darwasica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan. It has long and thin glaucous to grey-green leaves, slender stem and greenish cream or greenish yellow, to dark purple or lilac flowers.

Iris afghanica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan, with thin bluish-green leaves and creamy yellow or white flowers, that are veined with purple-brown. It has yellow-green or purple beards. Although, in the wild, it can vary in colour and size. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

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

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Iris kuschkensis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan. It has blue brown, or purple to purple bronze flowers, with a pale purple beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris lineata is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris, and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Turkestan, between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It has tall slender stems, long leaves and greenish yellow flowers covered, with brown violet, or brown purple veining over the top. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris stolonifera is a plant species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Iris, and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Turkestan, between Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. It has red-skinned stolon roots and rhizomes, glaucous, long, blue-grey leaves, and bi-coloured flowers, in various shades from milky white, to blue, purple, pale lilac, lavender and brown. It normally has blue to yellow beards on all the petals.

Iris leptophylla 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 China. It has thin, long grey-green leaves, long slender stem and 2 fragrant purple, blue-purple, violet or lavender pink flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris alexeenkoi is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains in Azerbaijan. It has green or greyish grass-like leaves, a short slender stem and 1–2 flowers that come in shades of purple, violet, purple-blue, or blue. It is closely related to Iris pumila. It is rarely 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.

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.

Iris hellenica is a plant species in the genus Iris and the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Saitas Mountain, in the Peloponnese Region of Greece. It has grey-green, sickle-shaped leaves, a tall slender stem, 2–3 white, lavender-blue, lilac or purple flowers and orange/purple beards. It was thought once to be a hybrid species of Iris germanica which also grows in the same area, before being separated into 2 species. It has only recently been published and is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris purpureobractea is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the cliffs and forest glades on the mountains of Turkey. It has straight or falcate shaped leaves, stem with several branches, the stem has purple spathes, it has up to 8 fragrant flowers, in various colours between yellow or blue. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris schachtii is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from central Anatolia, in Turkey. It has small, thin grey-green leaves, a short stem with 1–3 branches, which are normally, covered with a green leaf with purple staining. It has 2 or more fragrant flowers in late spring, which come in shades of yellow or purple, or violet and yellow,. It has a yellow or white with yellow-tips beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, but prefers regions with dry, hot summers.

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

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

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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.

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Iris heweri Grey-Wilson & B.Mathew is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 92-93, at Google Books
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Chapitre I (partie 8) Les Regelia". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) , p. 343, at Google Books
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Iris heweri". alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 124. ISBN   0-88192-089-4.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   0881927309.
  9. 1 2 3 "Thomas Frederick Hewer". munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Savage, R. J. G. (October 1994). "Thomas Frederick Hewer (1903 - 1994)" (PDF). The Linnean. The Linnean Society of London. 11 (1): 34–36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 Grey Wilson, Christopher (1974). "Some Notes on the Flora of Iran and Afghanistan". Kew Bulletin. Springer. 29 (1): 19–81. doi:10.2307/4108373. JSTOR   4108373.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Iris heweri". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 "Iridaceae Iris heweri Grey-Wilson & B.Mathew". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 Franco, Alain (5 December 2013). "(SPEC) Iris heweri Grey-Wilson & B. Mathew". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  15. ↑ "Iris heweri". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  16. ↑ Podlech, D. (2012). "Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Afghanistan" (PDF). sysbot.biologie.uni-muenchen.de. Retrieved 18 May 2015.

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