Iris pallida

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Iris pallida
Iris pallida specie.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. Iris
Section: Iris sect. Pogon
Species:
I. pallida
Binomial name
Iris pallida
Synonyms [1]
  • Iris ×australis var. mandraliscae(Tod.) Nyman
  • Iris ×australis var. tinaei(Tod.) Nyman
  • Iris desertorumBalb. [Illegitimate]
  • Iris fulgidaBerg
  • Iris ×germanica subsp. pallida(Lam.) O.Bolòs & Vigo
  • Iris glaucaSalisb.
  • Iris gloriosaReider ex Berg
  • Iris hortensisTausch
  • Iris mandraliscaeTod.
  • Iris marchesettiiPamp.
  • Iris moggridgeiBaker
  • Iris odoratissimaJacq.
  • Iris pallida subsp. mandraliscae(Tod.) K.Richt.
  • Iris pallida var. odoratissima(Jacq.) Nyman
  • Iris pallida subsp. pallida (unknown)
  • Iris pallida var. roseaProdán
  • Iris pallida subsp. sicula(Tod.) K.Richt.
  • Iris pallida subsp. tinaei(Tod.) K.Richt.
  • Iris pallidecaerulaeaPers.
  • Iris pictaSpreng. [Illegitimate]
  • Iris plicataLam.
  • Iris propendensLange
  • Iris siculaTod.
  • Iris swertiiLam.
  • Iris tinaeiTod.

Iris pallida, the Dalmatian iris or sweet iris, is a hardy flowering perennial plant of the genus Iris , family Iridaceae. It is native to the Dalmatian coast (Croatia) but widely naturalised elsewhere. It is a member of the subgenus Iris , meaning that it is a bearded iris, and grows from a rhizome. It adapts well to different environments and is used in many different ways.

Contents

Description

This iris prefers rocky places in the Mediterranean and Submediterranean zone and reaches sometimes montane regions at its southern range in Montenegro. It grows to a stem height of 50–80 cm (20–31 in). The leaves are bluish-green in color, and sword-shaped, 40–50 cm (16–20 in) in length, and 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.18 in) in width. The inflorescence, produced in May/June, is fan-shaped and contains two or three flowers which are usually pale purplish to whitish.

Cultivation

Iris pallida is cultivated in the Chianti region of Italy for their fragrance and medicinal properties. [2] It is grown as a garden plant, and commercially for extraction of essential oils from its rhizome (orris root) which was historically used for medicinal purposes. Orris oil is used to add flavor and scent to foods, gins, and perfumes [3]

The species' successful cultivation is partly due to its ability to thrive in different environments, including different climates and nutrient-poor soils. Iris pallida growth and flowering differ in different temperatures. [2] Iris pallida flowers last longer than other Iris species, but take longer to develop, especially in colder climates. [4]

The variegated cultivar 'Variegata' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [5] [6]

Uses

For hundreds of years, Iris pallida was used medicinally. [3] It is used today to flavor foods and drinks as well as for perfumes or air fresheners, which dates back to the 15th century when orris was used impart fresh scents on linens. [3] The plant's rhizomes are also used to make beads for children's teething necklaces as well as rosary beads. [3]

Subspecies

Three subspecies of Iris pallida s.l. are recognised by some authors as species: Iris pallida subsp. cengialti, [1] (with deep purplish flowers) from Slovenia and adjacent Italy, Iris pallida ssp. illyrica, [1] from the North Dalmatian coast, and Iris pallida ssp. pseudopallida from the South Dalmatian coast.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Iris pallida Lam. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 "European Journal of Horticultural Science". www.pubhort.org. doi:10.17660/ejhs.2020/85.2.4. S2CID   218926423 . Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ioana, Crișan; Cantor, Maria (2016). "New perspectives on medicinal properties and uses of Iris sp". Hop and Medicinal Plants (1–2): 24–36.
  4. ↑ CRIȘAN, IOANA; Stoie, Andrei; Buta, Erzsebet; Cantor, Maria (August 25, 2017). "Flowering phenology of some Iris species in the UASVM Cluj agrobotanical garden". Romanian Biotechnological Letters. 23 (3).
  5. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Iris pallida Lam. 'Variegata' Hort" . Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  6. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 55. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
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