Iris meda

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Iris meda
Iris meda.jpg
Iris meda, botanical illustration drawn by Matilda Smith and lithographed by J.N. Fitch
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Species:
I. meda
Binomial name
Iris meda
Synonyms [1] [2]

Iris fibrosaFreyn

Iris meda is a species in the genus Iris , it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the desert mountains and hills of Media (which is now Iran) and has long grey-green leaves with cream, pale yellow or yellow flowers, which have purple or dark brown patches and yellow beards.

Contents

Description

Iris meda has small, about 1 cm (0 in) long, [3] thin, stoloniferous-like rhizomes, and long secondary roots underneath the rhizome. [4]

It has upright, [3] narrow, blade-shaped foliage, [5] which are grey-green and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, [4] and 0.15–0.4 cm (0–0 in) wide. [3]

The plant in total can reach between 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall, [2] [6] [7] with straight stems [4] reaching 20 cm (8 in) high. [5] [8]

It blooms between April and May, [3] and has small flowers, [3] that have a range of colour variations, [5] that come in shades from cream or whitish ground color, [3] [6] [2] lemon yellow to creamy straw-yellow ground colours. [5] [8] It is similar in form to Iris sari , [4] which does not grow in Iran and does not have folded falls. [5]

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'. [9] :17 The standards are oblanceolate, 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long and 3.5 cm (1 in) wide. [3]

The falls are 6 cm (2 in) long, [3] thin and either undulating, [8] [6] or curled over. [3] [5] They have a large chestnut-maroon-black, [5] or dark brown [6] or purplish signal patch in the centre of the petal. [3] [2] [7] Also they have a dense, [5] [4] narrow 'beard' of long yellow hairs. [3] [6] [2] They also have greenish yellow style arms which are veined near apex. [3]

After it has flowered it produces a seed capsule and seeds that have not been described. [3]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [9] :24 It has a chromosome count of 2n=20. [4] [2]

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet meda refers to Media (a region of Persia). Similar to Apis mellifera meda (the Persian honey bee or Iranian honey bee). [10]

It was first found in Persia, [6] and then described and published by Austrian born botanist Otto Stapf in Denkschr. Acad. Wein (Denkschriften der Akademie der Wissenschaften = Memoranda of the Academy of Sciences) vol.50 on page 20, (collected on the Bot. Ergeb. Polak. Exped. Pers.) in 1885. [6] [1] [11]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life as Iris meda, [12] and it is a RHS accepted name of iris. [13] It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 15 November 2002, then updated on 4 April 2003. [14]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia. [14]

Range

It is found in Iran. [12] [7] [2] Within the region of Mianeh, East Azerbaijan. [5]

Habitat

It grows on either stony clay, [5] or sandy or gravelly soils, [3] of dry hills, [3] desert mountains, [4] and Kurdish steppes. [5] At altitudes of between 1,400–2,400 m (4,600–7,900 ft) above sea level. [3]

Cultivation

In the UK, it does not survive in cultivation as it needs dry conditions and very dry summers. [3]

Hybrids

Iris meda has the following two crosses; 'Amboy Agate' ( Iris samariae X I. meda) [15] and 'Moleskin'. [6]

Culture

In 1991, the government of Iran issued a set of postage stamps with the flora of Iran on them, which included "Iris meda". [16]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (including rhizome and leaves), and if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [17]

Related Research Articles

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

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<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 antilibanotica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Syria. It has semi-evergreen, green, falcate leaves, slender stem, bi-coloured flowers, in dark purple, violet. With a small dark spot and purple tipped yellow beard on the outer petals. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and thought to be extinct in the wild.

<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.

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

Iris atropurpurea, the coastal iris is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Middle East. It has glaucous (blue-green), linear, falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves. Between February and March, it has between 1 and 2 flowers, in dark shades from red-brown, burgundy, dark purple to blackish purple. They have a darker signal patch and yellow beard tipped with purple. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to it needing very dry conditions.

<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

Iris bismarckiana, the Nazareth 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 mountainsides of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. It has stoloniferous, spreading rhizomes, long, sword shaped, bright green leaves, long slender stem and 1 flower in Spring. The large flower is pale yellow, creamy-white, or white background. Which is covered with reddish-brown, maroon brown, purple-brown, purple, blue-purple, or blue veins, markings or spots. It has a dark signal patch and dark purple to black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

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 cedreti is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial endemic to Lebanon. It has long narrow leaves, short stem, and flowers with a white background which is covered with very small dots or veins of dark maroon, purple, purplish-maroon, or almost black. It has a dark maroon signal patch with a brownish or purplish beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

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

Iris hermona, the Golan iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris, and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the pastures and meadows of the Golan Heights in Israel and Syria. It has linear, upright leaves, tall slender stem holding a bi-coloured flower, having a pale lilac, cream-yellow, light tan, or white background, which is then covered in purple brown, or purple, or purple-pink veining, spots or speckling. It has a round purple-brown or almost black signal patch, and a sparse purple brown or almost black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

Iris heylandiana 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 marshlands or fields of Iraq. It has short, linear or sickle shaped grey-green leaves, slender stem, a single flower in spring, which has a dingy-white, whitish, or pale background, which is covered in many spots or dark veining, in black-purple, brown-purple, or brown violet, or brown shades. It has a dark brown or burgundy brown signal patch and white tinged with yellow or orange white sparse beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

<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 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 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 of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. 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.

Iris kirkwoodiae 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 Syria and Turkey. It has white or pale greenish flowers, heavily covered with dark purple veins or dots, deep purple round signal and a beard of long brown/purple hairs. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris westii 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 sides of Lebanon. It has curved grey-green leaves, a stem carrying one flower in shades of lilac, white or beige with spotting or veins in a darker shade or violet. The lower petals have deep velvety chocolate or deep violet-black signal patch and a purple beard. It rare and threatened due to habitat destruction, from military actions, overgrazing by goats and other factors.

References

  1. 1 2 "Iris meda Stapf". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 81, at Google Books
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "chapitre I (partie 5) Les Oncocyclus II". dictionaire des iridacée (in French). irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Iris meda". www.rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pries, Bob (21 November 2016). "(SPEC) Iris meda Stapf". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Kramb, D. (3 December 2003). "Iris meda". www.signa.org (The Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises . Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p.  69. ISBN   978-0715305393.
  9. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   978-0881927306.
  10. Veisi, H.; Nazemi-Rafie, J.; Azizi, A.; Rajabi-Maham, H. (2020). "Genetic characteristics of the Iranian honey bee, Apis mellifera meda, based on mitochondrial genes of ND4, ND4L and ND6 and their internal transcribed spacers". Insectes Soc. 67 (3): 439–448. doi:10.1007/s00040-020-00769-2. S2CID   219397543.
  11. "Iris meda | International Plant Names Index". www.ipni.org. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Iris meda". eol.org. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  13. "Iris meda". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  14. 1 2 "Taxon: Iris meda Stapf" . Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  15. "ArAmboyAgate < Ar < Iris Wiki". wiki.irises.org. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  16. "Stamp: Iris meda (Iran) (Iranian new year and first day of spring: flowers) Mi:IR 2413". Colnect. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  17. David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

Other sources

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