Iris palaestina (sometimes Iris palestina) is a species in the genus Iris belonging to the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbousperennial from Asia, including the Palestine region (Israel, Palestine and Jordan), Lebanon, and Syria. It has long, narrow, strap-like leaves, and a short stem. The early blooming, fragrant flowers are greenish-grey/white or yellow-white.
It is also known as the Palestine iris,[2] and it is known in Hebrew as איריס ארץ-ישראלי (iris eretz Israeli).[3]
Description
Iris palestina has 1–1.5in (25–38mm)ovoid brown bulbs.[2][4]
Most specimens have up to six leaves,[3] which are 6in (150mm) tall at flowering time.[4] They are normally about 1–2cm (0.39–0.79in) wide at the base of the plant.[5] The long, narrow, strap-like leaves have undulate edges[6] with a thin white margin.[2] They are normally shiny green in color,[7] but are glossy on the upper surface.[2] It has a short stem which is about 10–20cm (3.9–7.9in) high.[2]
It has fragrant flowers between January and February.[4] Generally, there are one to three flowers per stem. The flowers are greenish-grey/white,[8][9] but can be yellow-white as well. In southern Israel, some specimens have a slight blue tinge.[2] The flowers have winged falls. It has a perianth tube around 8–18cm (3.1–7.1in) long.[7]
The species was first described as Xiphion palaestinum by John Gilbert Baker in 1871. It was transferred to the now unrecognized genus Juno in 1972 as Juno palaestina. In 1882, it was given its present placement in Iris in a paper published by Caroline Barbey-Boissier and William Barbey, with the author of the combination Iris palestina being just William Barbey.[1]
It was originally thought to be a variety of Iris vartanii.[4] It is similar in form to the better-known and more decorative Iris planifolia.[8] Indeed, in 2017, it was suggested to be a subspecies of Iris planifolia, I.planifolia subsp. palaestina.[1]
Iris palestina is native to Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestine region (Israel, Palestine and Jordan).[1] In Lebanon, its range includes Batha,[2] and in Israel, it was found in Golan, Galilee, the Mediterranean coast, the northern valleys, Carmel, Samarian mountains, Samarian desert, Judean mountains, Sharon and Shefela.[3]
It likes open stony soils (with sandstone material)[2] at low altitudes.[5] Normally it is found at coastal sites but is also common within olive groves.[8]
Cultivation
It is hardy to USDA Zone 4.[7] In the UK, the iris is not hardy and is generally a poor grower.[9] It is better grown in a pot under cover in a greenhouse or bulb frame. It should be potted in well-drained, fertile compost and should have a summer rest from watering.[6]
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