Iris mariae

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Iris mariae
Iris mariae 1.jpg
Iris mariae from Northern Negev, Israel
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. Oncocyclus
Species:
I. mariae
Binomial name
Iris mariae
Synonyms [1]

Iris barnumiae var. mariae (Barbey) Dykes
Iris helenae Barbey ex Boiss. [Illegitimate]

Contents

Iris mariae (also commonly known as Negev iris or Mary's iris) 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 the deserts of Israel, Egypt and Palestine. It is fairly tall, with long and slender glaucous leaves, and in late spring, lilac-purple to pinkish or violet flowers with deeper veining and blackish-violet signal and dark purple beard.

Description

Negev-iris-road-222-revivim.jpg

It is a geophyte, [2] [3] with a short rhizome. [4] Around 3 cm long, [5] and it is stoloniferous. [6] Meaning it has several extremely long, secondary roots. [5]

It has 7–8, [6] glaucous, falcate (or sickle-shaped) leaves, [6] [7] [8] that are 10 to 12 cm (4 to 4.5 in) long, [4] [5] and 0.4 to 0.6 cm (0 to 0 in) wide. [6] They are very similar to Iris iberica . [5]

It has a stem that can grow up to 15–25 cm (6–10 in) tall. [9] [10] [11] Which is taller than the foliage. [5]

It flowers in late spring, [12] between February and March. [6] [8] [13]

The large flowers are 8–10 cm (3–4 in) in diameter, [12] and come in shades of lilac, [8] pinkish, [9] [12] or violet. [10] [7] [11]

It has 2 pairs of petals, [2] 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals, known as the 'standards'. [14] The recurved and darker falls, [9] are 5 cm (2 in) long and 2.5–3 cm wide, [6] with reddish brown, [12] or dark purple veining, [11] [12] and a blackish-violet [10] [11] or deep purple signal patch. [6] [12] [4] In the middle of the falls, also is a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is black, [6] [5] or purple. [12] [9] [10] The upright standards are larger and paler than the falls, and 6–6.5 cm (2–3 in) long and 4 cm wide. [6]

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule.

Genetics

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [14] It has a chromosome count of 2n=20. [5] [10] [11]

Two closely related iris species, Iris atrofusca and Iris mariae, were found to be clearly divergent genetically and phenotypically from each other. [15]

Taxonomy

It is commonly called 'Mary's Iris' or 'Negev Iris'. [13] [2] [8]

It is written in Hebrew as איריס הנגב [13] [2] and in Arabic script as سوسن النقب [2]

It was named after Mary, mother of Jesus, [8] and is sometimes incorrectly called Iris mairiae. [6] [16]

It was originally found in Egypt, [17] and was first named by William Barbey as Iris helenae. Although, that name was already used by Koch for another Iris so M. Barbey has recently withdrawn the name Helenae and the proposed that of Iris mariae. [9] It was then published by Barbey in Oesterr. Bot. Z. Issue 41 on page 207 in 1891. [1] [17] [18]

It was also later published in Gartenflora 42: 343 in 1893, Krel. 1898; Van T. 1900; Van W. in 1906 and the 'Year Book of Iris Society' (Yr. Bk. I.S.(E.)) 43. in 1933. [9]

I. mariae is an accepted name by the RHS, [19] and it was listed in the RHS Plant Finder in 2012. [19] It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003. [18] and listed in Encyclopedia of Life. [20]

Distribution and habitat

Negev-iris-road-222-revivim-b.jpg

Iris mariae is native to temperate Asia. [18]

Range

It is endemic to Israel [8] [12] [21] and Egypt. [18] [4] [22]

Within Israel it is found in the Negev Desert, [2] [3] [7] including Tze'elim, [13] Palestine (region), [6] [20] and within Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula. [6] [10]

Within IUCN Red Data Book of 2006 there are 6 threatened plant species found near Lake Bardawil, Egypt these include Astragalus camelorum , Bellevalia salah-eidii , Biorum oliveri , Iris mariae, Lobularia arabica and Salsola tetragona . [23]

Habitat

I. mariae grows in sandy semi-desert, [7] or desert sites. [13] [3] [20]

Within the deserts, it can be found in stable sand dunes, [5] (in areas which have an annual precipitation in the range 100–200 mm, [8] [24] ) and loessial sand, [4] [22] with Artemisia monosperma . [6]

Conservation

It is becoming increasingly rare. [25] but in Israel, it is protected by law, [13] [7] but still classed as 'endangered'. [20] Unfortunately most of its populations are located outside nature reserves. [7]

It is threatened by illegal harvesting (for the cut flower industry, [25] ), climate change, urbanisation, and also from the impacts of modern agriculture. [8]

Cultivation

In Europe, it is hardy to Zone H4, [12] meaning hardy to -5 to -10oC (23 to 14oF) [26] −20 °C (−4 °F)

It usually requires very good drainage, [5] restricted water and protection from frosts, although keeping it barely dry during the winter, will make it more cold tolerant. [5] [4]

The seed of the iris is deemed easy to germinate but growers should have some experience in growing others in this group of Irises. [22] The seed can be also grown using in-vitro seed germination. [21]

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]

Variations

Known Iris mariae cultivars: 'Barnumae Mariae'
Known Hybrids; Iris mariae crosses include; Iris mariae × Iris atropurpurea  ; 'Brown Prince', [28] 'Spiced Coffee' [29] Iris mariae × Iris hermona  ; 'Goren', [30] 'Sa'ar' Iris gatesii × Iris mariae - 'Desert Gem' [31] (Iris mariae × Iris samariae ) × self - 'Adva' Iris darwasica × Iris mariae - 'Hesperia' [32] Iris korolkowii × Iris mariae; 'Andromache', 'Artemis', [33] 'Aspasia', [34] 'Dido', 'Eurydice', [35] 'Flora', 'Massilia', 'Medusa' and 'Una', Oncogelia × Iris mariae - 'Bagdad Bauble' [36] Regeliocyclus × Iris mariae - 'Saraglen' [9]

Uses

In 1970, a stamp series named 'Israeli Wild Flowers' was issued by Israel to celebrate Independence Day, it included Iris mariae. [37] [38]

Then in February 2013, an ATM Label Negev Iris was produced, which has an image of the iris on it. [39]

Related Research Articles

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

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<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/Palestine 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.

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

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

Iris barnumiae 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 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. It has pale glaucous green and narrow leaves, that are slightly sickle-shaped and fade soon after blooming. It has, in mid- to late spring, fragrant flowers in shades of purple, from red-purple, mulberry to purplish-violet, with a yellow tipped with purple beard. It was renamed as I. barnumiae in after a plant naming conference in 2011, but is still sometimes named as I. barnumae in some sources. It has one accepted subspecies Iris barnumiae subsp. demawendica and two forms; Iris barnumiae f. protonyma (Stapf) B.Mathew & Wendelbo and Iris barnumiae f. urmiensis (Hoog) B.Mathew & Wendelbo, which has yellow flowers. Sometimes I. barnumiae f. barnumiae is used to describe the basic form. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its needing very dry and warm summer conditions.

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

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

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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.

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

Iris gatesii 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 the mountains of Turkey and Iraq. It has long, narrow, grey-green or glaucous leaves. The strong, sturdy stem supports a single large flower in spring, between April and June. The large flowers are very variable in colouring, ranging from a pale greenish, grey, white, or creamy-yellow background colour, which is then covered with many purplish-brown, purple, or nearly black, spots, dots, short broken lines, or veining. They have a brownish purple or purple beard, over a dark signal patch. It can be cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, if it does not get too wet during summer.

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

Iris haynei, the Faqqu'a Iris or Gilboa iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, subgenus Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the shrublands and mountainsides mostly west of the Jordan River, on the Gilboa mountain. It has smooth, linear or lanceolate, greyish-green leaves. Long slender stem and in Spring, large, fragrant flowers in shades of deep purple, violet, purple, brownish purple or dusky lilac veining or speckling over a pale ground. It has a dark purple, black-brown, to blackish signal patch, and a beard, which is variable from dark purple, white, or dark tipped yellow. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

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

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

Iris iberica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains of Armenia, eastern Georgia, and western Azerbaijan. It has narrow, glaucous, gray-green and sickle shaped leaves, short stem holding a single flower in late spring. Which has a pale background covered with heavy veining in pale mauve, violet, dark purple, maroon or purple-brown. It has a black or dark purple signal patch and a brown or purple-brown beard. Although, it has many hybrid forms dues to its variability and has 2 known subspecies of Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima and Iris iberica subsp. lycotis. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it is hardier than other Oncocyclus species.

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

Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima is a subspecies in the genus Iris, subgenus Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a subspecies of Iris iberica and is a rhizomatous perennial, from Armenia, Turkey and Iran. It has large, thin and falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, slender stem with a single flower between April and May. It has a white, cream or pale yellow ground, which is covered in dark veining or speckling in violet, mauve, purple or brown shades. The larger standards are paler, normally white and less veined. The falls, have darker veining and a dark signal patch and brown or purple beard. It is commonly known as Iris elegantissima, especially in Europe and Russia. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, but normally needs some protection during the winter period.

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

Iris dichotoma is a species in the genus Iris and is also in the subgenus of Iris. It was once formerly known as Pardanthopsis dichotoma as it was placed in a genus of its own before DNA testing resulted in it returning to the genus Iris. It is native to the forests and grasslands of Siberia, China, Mongolia and Korea. It has long greyish green leaves, long branched stems carrying many flowers in summer or late summer. In shades of violet, mauve to purple, lavender, pale blue, white or pink. They appear in the late afternoon at the time of Vespers.

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

Iris lortetii is a species in the genus Iris. It has straight grey-green leaves, a 30–50 cm tall stem, and large showy flowers in late spring or mid-summer that come in shades of pink, from white, lilac, pale lavender and grey-purple. It is veined and dotted pink or maroon. It has a signal patch that is deep maroon and a sparse and brown, purple-brown or reddish beard.

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

Iris paradoxa is a species of flowering plant native to western Asia. It has large upright petals and smaller lower petals, which is unique amongst most iris forms. They come in various shades from white, lavender, mauve, medium purple, violet, dark purple to black. It has a black or purplish black beard on the lower petals. It comes from the region of Transcaucasia, and is found in the countries of Iran, Turkey, Armenia and in Azerbaijan.

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

Iris petrana, commonly known as the Petra iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It has spring blooming flowers that come in shades from burgundy, dark brown to dark violet and purple. They have yellow or dark 'beards' and flower over sword-like grey-green leaves. It is normally found in the desert sands between the countries of Jordan and Israel.

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

Iris susiana, commonly known as the mourning iris, is a species of perennial plant in the family Iridaceae. The mourning iris is native to the Middle East. It grows in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, although it is believed to be extinct in the wild. It is popular as a cut flower as the flowers can easily span 12 centimeters. The survival of the species is seriously threatened by excessive picking.

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

Iris sari is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in section Oncocyclus. It is from the rocky steppes and hills of Turkey. It has curved or straight leaves, cream, greenish or yellowish flowers which are variable and veined with crimson, purple-brown, reddish brown, reddish-purple or black. It has a dark maroon, rich crimson or brown signal patch and gold or yellow beard.

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

Iris sprengeri is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the mountain slopes of Turkey. It has large flowers which are white, silver-white or cream, with purple-red or reddish-brown veining and a golden yellow beard and a dark purple or deep purple-brown signal patch.

References

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Other sources

Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Iris mariae at Wikispecies