Iris lacustris

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Iris lacustris
Dwarf Lake Iris.jpg
Status TNC G3.svg
Vulnerable  (NatureServe) [1]
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. Limniris
Section: Iris sect. Lophiris
Species:
I. lacustris
Binomial name
Iris lacustris
Synonyms [2]
  • Evansia lacustris(Nutt.) Klatt
  • Iris cristata var. lacustris(Nutt.) Dykes
  • Iris cristata subsp. lacustris(Nutt.) Iltis
  • Iris lacustris f. albifloraCruise & Catling

Iris lacustris, the dwarf lake iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris , subgenus Limniris and in the section Lophiris (crested irises). It is a rhizomatous, beardless perennial plant, native to the Great Lakes region of eastern North America. It has lavender blue or violet-blue flowers, a very short stem and long fan-like green leaves. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is closely related to Iris cristata (another North American crested iris).

Contents

Description

It is similar in form to Iris cristata but is chromosomally different and smaller. [3] [4] [5]

It has slender, wiry, [6] [7] [8] or cord-like, [9] greenish-brown, [10] or yellow rhizomes. [11] [12] [13] It has a large central section and outer sections, which are 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long and 0.8–1.2 cm wide. [9] The outer sections have fibrous roots (underneath), [9] [14] and 2–3 brown scale-like leaves above. [9] It creeps across the ground, [8] [14] creating thick clumps of plants. [15] [16] [17]

It has 8–12 sheathing, (fan-like), [8] [11] [15] green or light green, [11] [17] basal leaves. [9] [17] They are falcate (sickle-shaped) or sword-shaped, [8] [15] and linear, [18] and 4–6 cm (2–2 in) long and 10–8 mm wide. [15] [18] [19] After flowering, the leaves elongate up to 15–16 cm (6–6 in) long and 10 mm wide. [9] [19] [20]

When the plant is not in flower, the leaves of the iris might be confused with false asphodel, ( Triantha glutinosa, a white flowered member of the lily family whose leaves are much narrower) which lives in similar habitats. Although, the flower stem of false asphodel is much longer than that of iris and very sticky. [11] [16]

It has very short stems, [6] [18] [21] which are 0.8–5 cm (0–2 in) long. [5] [8] [9] The stems and flowers are shorter than the leaves. [9] [11]

It has green spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are slightly keeled, and 3–4.5 cm (1–2 in) long. [9] [13] They have scarious (membranous) edges. [9]

The short stems have 1 to 2 flowers, [7] [9] [15] in Spring, [5] [20] [21] or summer (in Europe), [5] in April, [13] or May, [3] [8] [9] or early June, [11] [12] [18] or July. [19] In Spring, it can flower up to 7 to 10 days earlier than Iris cristata, [17] and it can have later flush of flowers in the fall (or Autumn), [3] [13] or October. [10]

The flowers are 4–6 cm (2–2 in) in diameter, [4] [9] [15] come in shades of blue, [11] [16] [18] violet-blue, [19] [20] [21] sky blue, [3] [5] [14] deep blue, [22] [23] [24] lavender blue, [20] lilac, [7] [8] [15] or deep purple. [10] [16] [20] A white form has occasionally, also been found. [22] [23] [25]

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'. [18] [21] [26] The obovate shaped, [7] falls are 2–2.3 cm (1–1 in) long and 0.8 cm wide. [7] [8] [9] They taper towards the claw (section closest to the stem). They have a white signal patch, which has a deep violet margin, [14] and 3 central, orange, [10] [16] gold, [22] [23] [25] or yellow and white toothed (or fimbriated – fringed) ridges (or crests). [10] [13] [15] The signal patch guides bumblebees in to the middle of the flower, to pollinate it. [13] [14] The standards are narrowly oblanceolate, 1–1.5 cm (0–1 in) long and 0.4–0.5 cm wide. [9] They are shorter and narrower than the falls. [9] [10] [19]

It has a yellow funnel-like, perianth tube, which is 1–2 cm long. [3] [19] The tube is shorter than Iris cristata. [25] It has a trigonal (or triangular), ovary, which is 0.8–1 cm long. [9] It has a 1–2 cm long style, which has linear crests and wavy (crenate) edges. [9] The style arm guides bumblebees to the lower section of the sepal, to reach the nectar. [14]

After the iris has flowered, between late June to late July, [19] it produces a roundly triangular, [9] or ovoid, [3] [8] seed capsule, [18] which is covered by the spathes. [9] The capsules are 1.2 mm long and 8 mm wide. [8] [9] Inside the capsule, are 3 mm wide, dark brown seeds, [9] [19] which have a white appendage (or aril, fleshy thickening of seed coat), [19] spiralled around the seed. This spiral or corkscrew-like appendage is called an eliaosome. [15] The eliaosomes are used as energy-rich food sources by ants, [15] who help pollinate the plant. [13]

Biochemistry

In 1994, a study was carried out on the genetic make-up of Iris lacustris. [27]

In 2000, a study was carried out on Iris cristata and Iris lacustris, looking at the genetic variation of both irises. [28]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [26] It has been counted several times, 2n=42, Simonet, 1934; n=21, 2n=42, Chimphamba, 1973 and 2n=32, Pringle, 1976. [29] It is normally published as 2n = 32, 42. [22] [25]

Taxonomy

Foliage and flowers Iris lacustris fws.jpg
Foliage and flowers

The Latin name is pronounced Iris (EYE-ris) lacustris (lak-US-triss). [20]

It has the common name of dwarf lake iris, [30] [31] [32] lake iris, [15] [29] and Great Lakes iris. [25]

The Latin specific epithet lacustris means "of lakes". [11] [21]

The iris was found on Mackinac Island in 1810 by Thomas Nuttall. The botanist travelled from Detroit by canoe with French Canadian voyagers and the surveyor for the Michigan Territory. [11]

It was first then published and described by Thomas Nuttall, in 'The Genera of North American Plants' (published in Philadelphia, US) Volume 1, Issue 23 on 14 July 1818. [7] [33] [34]

An illustration of the iris was published in Wild flowers of the United States by Rickett, plate 11 in 1966. [5]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 15 April 1994, then updated on 3 December 2004. [33]

It is a close relative to Iris cristata, the only other crested iris native to North America. However, unlike it, Iris lacustris is found only in small areas of the Great Lakes region that have been glacier-free for only 11,000 years. [28] While it was once thought to be a form of Iris cristata [6] (by William Rickatson Dykes in 1913 [10] and other authors), later chromosomal studies confirmed the two were separate species. [3] [27]

Distribution and habitat

Iris lacustris is native to temperate regions of northern America. [3] [5] [13] [24] [33]

Range

It is found in Canada [12] within the province of Ontario (on the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island). [17] [33] [31]

It is found in the U.S. within the states of Michigan, [8] [12] [31] and Wisconsin, [8] [17] [30]

It is found on northern shores and smaller islands of Lake Michigan, [16] [18] [31] and Lake Huron, [7] [8] [13] [25] within the Great Lakes region. [3] [5] [8]

The majority of iris populations are within 500 m of the shore, but the largest ones can occur up several kilometres away from the lake. [16]

Habitat

It grows near the Great Lakes shorelines in cool, moist lake shore air or limestone glades. [14]

It is found on sand, [4] [13] [14] or in thin soil over limestone-rich gravel, [16] [17] [18] in calcareous (chalky) soil, [17] [19] [25] or bedrock. [4] [8] [9] It also grows on alvar limestone barrens, [16] [21] and along shorelines, [25] old beach ridges, [11] [19] beside streams, [10] in ditches, [19] on cliffs, [19] [25] [31] behind open dunes, [8] [11] [19] or at the edges of coniferous woods (in Canada and Michigan). [3] [14] [16] [31]

Conservation

Iris lacustris is designated a "vulnerable" threatened species by federal, state and provincial laws throughout its distribution range. [19] [27] [1] It was added to the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants on September 28, 1988. [8] [30] It is on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species program. [8] It was listed by the federal U.S. government as 'threatened' since February 1, 2001. [13] [33] It has become threatened due to habitat destruction, from shoreline development, [8] [14] from road-widening projects, chemical spraying and salting, and off-road vehicle use have caused disturbance and destruction of habitat, [8] and degradation of habitats. [11]

Due to being a protected species, plants can not be dug up or seeds gathered. [20] A permit is required for any project (including research, development, and construction) which may "take" or "harm" threatened or endangered species in Michigan. [11] Also 37% of the Canadian population is on land in protected areas. [16] Shoreline development has also improved some habitats by opening up the canopy and creating new open ground. [16]

Cultivation

It is hardy to between USDA Zone 4 and Zone 7. [17] [20] [25] and European Zone H2 [5] It is hardy in Europe, [13] and in the UK. [7] [24]

It is tolerant of a range of soils, [3] but prefers moist, slightly acidic neutral soils. [17]

It flowers mostly in semi-open habitats with partial sun. [8] [17] [20] Although it can tolerate sunny sites. [12]

It can grow in a peat bank, [24] or can be grown in a six-inch pot or similar container. [7]

It is rarely offered for sale in Europe. [13]

A specimen has been grown in Cambridge Botanic Garden. [7]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may also cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [20]

Culture

In 1998, Iris lacustris was designated the state wildflower of Michigan, [31] [35] where the vast majority of populations exist. [36]

Related Research Articles

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

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 cristata</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris cristata is a species in the genus Iris, and is part of the subgenus of Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, endemic to the eastern United States. It has pale lavender flowers with a white patch and orange or yellow crest. It is a close relative to Iris lacustris, the only other crested iris native to North America. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Arnoglossum plantagineum</i> Species of flowering plant

Arnoglossum plantagineum also known as tuberous Indian-plantain, groovestem Indian plantain or Prairie Indian plantain, is a North American species of Arnoglossum in the sunflower family. The Latin specific epithet plantagineum refers to the leaves of the plant which are similar to those of a plantain.

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

Iris japonica, commonly known as fringed iris, shaga and butterfly flower, is a native of China and Japan. It is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and within the Lophiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with pale blue, lavender or white flowers with an orange or yellow crest. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Carex lacustris</i> Species of grass-like plant

Carex lacustris, known as lake sedge, is a tufted grass-like perennial of the sedge family (Cyperaceae), native to southern Canada and the northern United States. C. lacustris us an herbaceous surface-piercing plant that grows in water up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) deep, and grows 50–150 cm (1.6–4.9 ft) tall. It grows well in marshes and swampy woods of the boreal forest, along river and lake shores, in ditches, marshes, swamps, and other wetland habitat. It grows on muck, sedge peat, wet sand or silt, in filtered or full sunlight.

Iris tenuis is a plant species in the genus Iris, subgenus Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, endemic to Clackamas County, Oregon. The flowers are white, pale blue or lilac, with a yellow or golden low dissected crest and pale green leaves. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris setosa, the bristle-pointed iris, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris of the family Iridaceae, it belongs the subgenus Limniris and the series Tripetalae. It is a rhizomatous perennial from a wide range across the Arctic sea, including Alaska, Maine, Canada, Russia, northeastern Asia, China, Korea and southwards to Japan. The plant has tall branching stems, mid green leaves and violet, purple-blue, violet-blue, blue, to lavender flowers. There are also plants with pink and white flowers.

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

Iris brevicaulis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Hexagonae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from North America. It has bright green, glossy long leaves, a long zig-zagged stem and 3–6 flowers per stem, which are come in blue shades from violet-blue, to lavender, to purple-blue, to bright blue to blue, and pale blue.

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

Iris fulva, also known as copper iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Hexagonae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, endemic to the southern and central United States. It has copper-red to deep red flowers and bright green leaves.

Iris koreana, also known as dwarf woodland Korean iris, 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 from Korea.

Iris odaesanensis 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 from China and eastern Korea. It has blue-green grass-like leaves, short stem, 1 or 2 fragrant, white or off-white flowers in spring to early summer. It is a rare plant in the wild, but it is cultivated in east Asia.

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

Iris rossii, the long-tail iris, 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 from Japan, Korea and China. It has narrow, grass-like leaves, short stems and 1 or 2 purple-violet flowers.

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

Iris speculatrix 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, from Asia, found in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It has dark green, evergreen leaves, long slender stem and flowers in various blue shades, from violet, lilac, lavender, to light blue.

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

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

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References

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  35. ↑ "Michigan State Wildflower". Netstate.com. Retrieved 2012-05-14.
  36. ↑ "Michigan Natural Features Inventory" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2012-05-14.

Other sources

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