Iris planifolia

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Iris planifolia
Iris planifolia 01.JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Scorpiris
Section: Iris sect. Scorpiris
Species:
I. planifolia
Binomial name
Iris planifolia
Synonyms [1]
  • Coresantha alata(Poir.) Klatt
  • Costia scorpioides(Desf.) Willk.
  • Iris alataPoir.
  • Iris alata f. parvifloraBatt.
  • Iris alata subsp. trialata(Brot.) Nyman
  • Iris micropteraVahl
  • Iris planifolia var. micranthaBatt.
  • Iris planifolia var. tarhunensis(Borzi & Mattei) Maire & Weiller
  • Iris scorpioidesDesf.
  • Iris tarhunensis(Borzi & Mattei) Pamp.
  • Iris transtaganaBrot.
  • Iris trialataBrot.
  • Juno alata(Poir.) Rodion.
  • Juno planifolia(Mill.) Asch.
  • Juno scorpioides(Desf.) Tratt.
  • Neubeckia scorpioides (Desf.) Alef.
  • Thelysia alata(Poir.) Parl.
  • Thelysia grandifloraSalisb.
  • Thelysia planifolia(Mill.) Mattei
  • Thelysia tarhunensisBorzi & Mattei
  • Xiphion alatum(Poir.) Baker
  • Xiphion planifoliumMill.

Iris planifolia is a species of flowering plant in the subgenus Scorpiris of the genus Iris , family Iridaceae. This bulbous perennial from Southern Europe and North Africa has long, shiny green leaves, a short stem, and large scented flowers in various shades of blue.

Contents

Description

Iris planifolia growing wild near Elvas, Portugal Elvas (49499002033).jpg
Iris planifolia growing wild near Elvas, Portugal

Iris planifolia has a large brown ovoid bulb (around 2 in (51 mm) in diameter), [2] with fleshy cylindrical white roots. [3] [4]

The shiny green leaves that grow up to 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long and 1–3 cm wide [4] can conceal the short stem [2] at flowering time. The leaves are lanceolate, beginning narrow at soil level and growing up to a point. [3] It is regarded as having one of the largest flowers in the subgenus Scorpiris. [5]

It can begin to flower in December, [6] in January or February. [7] In the wild it has been known to flower as late as Autumn. [8] The flowers have a light scent, [6] which can be described as spicy. [7]

It is a short, stout plant with up to three large flowers per stem, [3] which are generally 6–7 cm in diameter, with a perianth tube of 8–18 cm long. The falls are 5–8 cm long and the standards are 2 cm long. [4] The plant can reach a maximum height of 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) tall. [8]

The plant has flowers in various shades of blue, [7] from bluish violet, [4] bright sky blue, [9] and lilac blue, [6] 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'. [6] The falls have a dark blue veining and a yellow crest on the ridge. [4] [8] [9] It does not have a beard. [3] Occasionally, white flowered forms can be found in the wild. [7]

The plant has tiny football shaped pollen with small spikes. [10]

The capsule is oblong, sessile, like that of Colchicum on the surface of the soil in the centre of the leaves. It has brown seeds which can be as large as a pea. [3]

Taxonomy

The specific epithet of 'planifolia' is derived from the Greek word meaning 'with flat leaves'. [11]

It was first published by T.Durand and Schinz in 'Conspectus Floræ Africæ' No.5. in 1894. [12] But under the name Iris alata. [13]

Fiori and Paoletti in 'Flora Analytica d'Italia', recognized this species as the genus Iris from Millers original entry of Xiphium planifolium. For many years this was known under the synonym. Iris alata by Poir and recorded in a 1939 checklist. [3] Further research took then plant origin back to 1894.

Iris planifolia is now the accepted name by the RHS, [14] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003 and the updated on 3 December 2004. [15] Note; Iris planifolia has over 20 different synonyms. See list in the infobox on the right. Iris alata (also commonly known as 'Scorpion Iris') is the most common synonym. [16]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and North Africa. [7] [15] This the only species in the Juno subgenus that can be found growing in Europe. [6]

Range

It is found in Crete, Greece, Sicily, Spain, Portugal, [6] Sardinia, [5] (within North Africa) in Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, [15] and Morocco. [8]

White forms of the iris can be found in Andalucia. [17]

Habitat

Iris planifolia is found on rocky hillsides, [5] which are generally wet in the winter and dry in the summer.

Cultivation

Iris planifolia at Bern Botanic Garden Iris planifolia 02.JPG
Iris planifolia at Bern Botanic Garden

It is hardy to USDA Zone 3. [4]

The bulb is a short lived plant. It is better grown in the UK, in a bulb frame. [6] In pots or preferably in the ground. [5]

It can also be cultivated in pots. [2] But the pots need to be a minimum of 30 cm tall (or 1 ft), to allow maximum root space. [5]

It needs good ventilation to prevent disease, [3] but can be prone to virus infections. [7] Causing a loss of growth, and causes pale or streaky foliage. Infected plants should be destroyed to stop contamination of other plants. [8]

For good growth next year, it prefers a good warm dry ripening period in summer, [7] in sharply drained soil. [9]

It can be propagated naturally as it creates clumps of bulbs, that can be divided, by being very carefully teased apart in late summer. Care mus be taken not to damage the fleshy roots. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Iris <span style="font-style:normal;">subg.</span> Scorpiris</i> Subgenus of flowering plants

Iris subg. Scorpiris, commonly called Juno, is a subgenus of Iris, representing the smooth-bulbed bulbous irises. For a while it was an independent genus Juno Tratt. in some classifications.

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

Iris bucharica is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is a bulbous herbaceous perennial, from temperate Asia, within Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has long blue green leaves, many flowers in spring, in shades of yellow and white.

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

Iris hyrcana, the Hyrcana iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from central Asia, from Azerbaijan to Iran.

Iris pamphylica is a plant species in the genus Iris. It is the largest member of the subgenus Hermodactyloides, it is also in the section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from Antalya Province in Turkey, Asia. It has long narrow leaves, shorter stem holding a bi-coloured flower in shades of purple, blue or purple-brown, with a yellow, purple-spotted section on a petal.

Iris subg. Nepalensis is one subgenus of Iris, also known as 'Himalayan irises'. It was formerly genus Junopsis.

Iris serotina is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Xiphium. It is a bulbous perennial from southern Europe, found in Spain and Morocco.

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

Iris cycloglossa is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Scorpiris. It comes from Afghanistan.

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

Iris palaestina is a species in the genus Iris in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Asia, including the Palestine region, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. It has long, narrow, strap-like leaves, and a short stem. The early blooming, fragrant flowers are greenish-grey/white or yellow-white.

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

Iris rosenbachiana, the spinster iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia, within Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It has long mid-green leaves, short flower stem, sweet scented flowers in early spring in shades of purple.

Iris vicaria is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Asia, found in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It has tall arching leaves, and has varied coloured flowers, with white, blue and purple between April and May.

Iris zenaidae is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia. It has deep violet-blue or cobalt blue flowers.

Iris zaprjagajevii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia. It has greyish-green leaves, short stem and white flowers with a yellow crest.

Iris willmottiana is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial, from Uzbekistan in central Asia. It has green broad leaves, short stems, large flowers in various shades of blue.

<i>Iris orchioides</i> Species of orchid

Iris orchioides, the 'orchid iris,' is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial, from the mountains of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. It has dark green leaves, slender stems, up to three yellow flowers in spring. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris kuschakewiczii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial, from the hills of Kazakhstan. It has dark green glaucous leaves, a short, thick stem, spring flowers in shades of purple.

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

Iris stenophylla is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial.

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

Iris tubergeniana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia, in the former states of USSR. It has pale green, pointed or sickle shaped leaves, short flowering stem holding 1-3 spring flowers in shades of yellow.

Iris falcifolia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Hexapogon. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It is a small plant, with sickle-shaped greyish-green leaves, lilac-violet flowers and darker veining, and a white or yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in dry, temperate regions.

Iris griffithii is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan. It has short, sickle-shaped leaves, short green stem and purple flowers with white beards. Several specimens exist within herbaria around Europe, but it is rarely cultivated.

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

Iris junonia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Cilicia, within the Taurus Mountains. It has glaucous short leaves, tall stems with several branches, numerous flowers in various colours from blue-purple, lavender, pale blue, cream, white and yellow, with brown veining and white tipped orange beards. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. Its status is still unclear, if it is a synonym of Iris germanica or a separate species.

References

  1. ↑ "Iris planifolia (Mill.) T.Durand & Schinz". theplantlist.org. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Richard Lynch The Book of the Iris , p. 185-186, at Google Books
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "(SPEC) Iris planifolia (Miller) Fiori & Paoletti". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). 20 April 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification , p. 259, at Google Books
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Juno irises J-R". www.pacificbulbsociety.org. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN   978-0881927306. OL   8176432M.}
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rowland, Mark (2010). "Iris planifolia". lathyrus-seed.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Iris planifolia". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 "Iris planifolia". rareplants.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Tillie, Nico; Hall, Tony; İkinci, Nursel; Lliedo, M; Clarkson, James; Seisums, Arnis; Saito, Takeshi; Harley, Madeline; Chase, Mark (17 October 2011). "Molecular phylogenetics of the juno irises, Iris subgenus Scorpiris (Iridaceae), based on six plastid markers". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 167: 281–300. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2011.01176.x .
  11. ↑ Stearn, William (1972). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names. London: Cassell. p. 257. ISBN   0304937215.
  12. ↑ "Iris". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). p. 143. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Plant Name Details". biodiversitylibrary.org. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Iris planifolia". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 "Iris planifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  16. ↑ Harry Thomas Round the Year in the Garden , p. 243, at Google Books
  17. ↑ "Topic: White Iris planifolia". andaluciabirdsociety.org. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2014.

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