Iris hyrcana

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Iris hyrcana
Iris hyrcana.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. Hermodactyloides
Section: Iris sect. Reticulatae
Species:
I. hyrcana
Binomial name
Iris hyrcana

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.

Contents

Description

Iris hyrcana has spherical bulbs, [1] that are coated with a solid brown fiberous network. [2]

The leaves appear after flowering, [2] it has 10 cm (3.9 in) high stems. [3] [4]

In the Northern Hemisphere it blooms in the winter, between November and January, [5] [3] or sometimes in February. [2] The flowers are around 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.18 in) wide. [2] [4] The flowers are much smaller than those of other Reticulata irises. [2]

Like other irises, it has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the "falls", and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the "standards". [6] : 17  They come in shades of blue, from clear blue, [5] [3] [7] to dark blue and purple. [2] The falls have a bright yellow ridge, [5] or orange mark. [2] [7]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [6] : 18  It was counted as 2n=20, [2]

Taxonomy

The specific epithet hyrcana, refers to Hyrcania, a historical region composed of the land south-east of the Caspian Sea in modern-day Iran. [8]

In 1848, specimens of the plant were originally collected in Azerbaijan. [9] It was described and published in 'Flora Kavkaza' by Alexander Grossheim in 1928. [10]

Iris hyrcana is now an accepted name by the RHS, [11] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 11 December 2024. [12]

It is listed in 1995 in 'Vascular Plants of Russia and adjacent States (the former USSR)' by Czerepanov, S. K. [13]

It was once thought to be a variant of Iris reticulata , [2] [5] except Iris hyrcana has spherical bulbs where as Iris reticulata bulbs are drop shaped. [1]

Distribution and habitat

Iris hyrcana is native to temperate areas of western Asia. [12] [2]

Range

Originally found in the Hyrcanian woods, [3] along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Iran. [1] [12] [2]

Habitat

It is found growing in the mountains along the Caspian Sea. [2]

Cultivation

It prefers to grow in sunny sites, on rocky soils that dry out completely in summer. [2]

As it is not very hardy, but it can withstand strong frosts of short duration. [2] Although it is thought to be best grown in the UK and in America, within a bulb frame or alpine house, [5] to keep the soils dry. [2] It also needs a dry, summer dormancy of several months. [2]

A specimen of Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, in South Wales, shown by Bob and Rannveig Wallis. [14]

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]

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 reticulata</i> Species of flowering plant in the iris family Iridaceae

Iris reticulata, the netted iris or golden netted iris, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native from eastern Turkey to Iran, but cultivated widely in temperate regions. The reticulata group of irises is characterised by a fibrous net surrounding the bulb. They are small plants to 15 centimetres (5.9 in), with tubular, sharply-pointed, ribbed leaves, and flowers of yellow, blue or purple with an orange blaze on the falls, appearing in early spring. They are hardy, but prefer a well-drained sunny position in soil which dries out in summer; they are therefore suitable for a rock or gravel garden.

<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 danfordiae</i> Species of plant

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.

<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.

Iris serotina is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Xiphium. It is a bulbous perennial from southern Europe, found in Spain and Morocco.

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

Iris planifolia is a species of flowering plant in the subgenus Scorpiris of the genus Iris, family Iridaceae. This bulbous perennial from Southern Europe and North Africa has long, shiny green leaves, a short stem, and large scented flowers in various shades of blue.

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

Iris pseudocaucasica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from central Asia, within the Caucasus and in Iran, Iraq and Turkey.

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.

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.

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.

Iris taochia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains and Turkey. It forms dense clumps, with grey-green leaves, simple stems of similar height, with 1–3 branches, a flowers in various shades from white, yellow to purple. They also have yellowish or white, tipped yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Iris acutiloba <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> lineolata</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a subspecies of Iris acutiloba, and is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Iran, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. It has narrow, lanceolate, or falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, which are grey-green and glaucous. It has a slender straight stem holding one terminal flower. The flowers, come in shades of white, cream, or creamy white and have veining that is purple or brown, or a mixture of both. It is heavily veined or streaked in purple or brown, with a dark purple-brown, spot on 3 of the outer petals and brown, dark purple, or black short beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, unless grown in a greenhouse.

<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.

Iris camillae 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 Azerbaijan. It has narrow, falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, medium-sized stem and large flowers, where the flower colour is very variable, ranging from violet, purple, pale blue, and also yellow, and occasionally bi-colour forms are found. It has a yellow beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its environmental conditions of its natural habitat.

Iris grossheimii is a plant species in the genus Iris, subgenus Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. It has sickle shaped leaves, which are as long as the short stem, which carries one flower in spring. It is beige, pink or brown covered in dark lines that are, purple-brown or brown. It has a large blackish brown signal patch and brown or black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Iris hyrcana". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Chapter III bulbous iris". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "IRIS HYRCANA". cgf.net. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  4. 1 2 "(SPEC) hyrcana". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Reticulata Irises". www.pacificbulbsociety.org. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  6. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   978-0-88192-730-6.
  7. 1 2 "Iris hyrcana". rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  8. ↑ Massoume Price Iran's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook , p. 30, at Google Books
  9. ↑ "Original material of Iris hyrcana Woronow ex Grossh. [family IRIDACEAE]". jstor.org. Retrieved 21 March 2018.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ↑ Iridaceae Iris hyrcana Woronow ex Grossh. Vol. 1. www.ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Iris hyrcana". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 "Iris hyrcana". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  13. ↑ Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR) , p. 281, at Google Books
  14. ↑ "Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, shown by Bob & Rannveig Wallis". twitter.com. 15 Feb 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  15. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

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