Iris sintenisii | |
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Iris sintenisii flower in Bulgaria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Iridaceae |
Genus: | Iris |
Subgenus: | Iris subg. Limniris |
Section: | Iris sect. Limniris |
Series: | Iris ser. Spuriae |
Species: | I. sintenisii |
Binomial name | |
Iris sintenisii | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Iris sintenisii is a species in the genus Iris , in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae , with tall thin stems, violet-blue flowers and long grass-like leaves. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from grass meadows (including steppe) parts of Europe, Russia, and Turkey. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris sintenisii is intermediate in appearance and form, between Iris graminea and a small Iris spuria . [2]
It has thin (or slender), [3] [4] wiry (or hard), short rhizomes. [5] [6] [7] That are covered with the brown, fibrous remains of the last seasons leaves. [4] [6] [7]
Over time it forms many branches to create a tight clumps or tussocks. [8] [9] [10]
It has linear, glaucous green to dark green, rigid, acuminate (tapering to a long point), grass-like leaves. [11] [12] [13] They are often described as evergreen. [14] [15] [16] They have clear pronounced veins. [3] [4] They can grow up to between 10–50 cm (4–20 in) long, [17] and 0.3–0.5 cm wide. [18] [19] [20] The leaves often exceed the height of the flower stems. [21] [22] [23]
Iris sintenisii is smaller than Iris graminea. [24] It has cylindrical or slightly compressed, unbranched stems. [7] [17] [25] They can grow up to between 10–40 cm (4–16 in) long. [26] [27] [28]
The stems have 2–3, [6] green spathes, (leaves of the flower bud), that are 3.5–7.5 cm long. [4] [6] [25] The leaves are all keeled. [6] [7] [25] The inner leaves are slightly longer the outer leaves. [6]
The stems or peduncle hold 1 or 2, [20] [21] [23] terminal (top of stem) flowers, [6] [21] between late spring and summer, [14] [15] [27] between June and July. [19] [28] [29]
The flowers are similar in form to Iris graminea but in different shades of colour. [24] The flowers are not scented, [18] [25] and can be up 5–6 cm (2–2 in) in diameter, [20] [18] [30] and come in shades of violet-blue, [2] [10] [31] blue-purple, [21] [30] [12] blue, [29] [16] [32] purple, [3] [27] [33] and violet. [20] [13]
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] The slender falls are slightly panduriform (shaped like a fiddle). [6] They have a rounded or ovate/elliptic blade, measuring 1.3–1.4 cm long and 0.9–1.3 cm wide. [4] [7] [25] Then they have a narrowing before a long oval haft (connecting to the stem), measuring 2.5–3 cm long and 0.3–0.5 cm wide. [4] [7] [21] The haft is veined with red-purple. [6] They are white or cream, heavily veined violet-blue or purple. [30] [11] [12]
It has single coloured (violet-blue to blue-purple), [21] upright standards that are oblanceolate and 3–4 cm long and 0.4–0.5 cm wide. [7] [9] [23]
It has single coloured (violet-blue to blue-purple), style branches, that are 2.6–2.8 cm long and 0.5–0.6 cm wide, with recurved lobes. [4] [6] [7] It has a small slender ovary 1–2 cm long, with a slender beak. [4] [25] It also has small, triangular crests. [6]
This iris is uniquely pollinated by ants, as the flowers secrete nectar at the base of the petals. [17] [11]
After the iris has flowered, it produces an oblong, seed capsule, [3] [5] 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide. [4] It also has a slender beak appendage up to 2 cm long. [4]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [9] It has been counted several times; 2n=16, ex Randolph and Mitra 1956, Lenz, Bulletin of the American Iris Society169: 55. 1963; 2n=16, 32 Simonet 1934; 2n=16, Lenz 1963 and 2n=16, Popova, M., & I. Cesmedziev, (1975 & 1976). [32] Normally the chromosome count is recorded as 2n=16, 32. [6] [17] [31]
In 2013, a study was carried out on the morphological and anatomical properties of Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima and Iris sintenisii were investigated. The cross-sections of root, scape and leaf parts of the plant were examined. During the anatomical studies, the wall thickenings of the endodermal cells were found to be three-sided. Leaf features, such as papillae, metaxylem number in the root and arrangement of vascular bundles can be used as distinguishing characters for the Iris species. [4]
It is known as Sintenis-Schwertlilie in Germany. [34]
It has the common name of Sintenisa iris. [22] [35] The Latin specific epithet sintenisii refers to Paul Sintenis, a botanical collector. [2]
Specimens were first collected by Sintenis from the Dobrudja district, (of Bulgaria) on the western coast of the Black Sea, to the south of the mouth of the Danube. [21] It was then published and described by Victor Janka von Bules in 'Természetrajzi Füz' (printed in Budapest) Vol.1 on page 244 in 1877. [36] [37]
In 1994, it was given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM). [19] [30] It was then verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, [37] and is an accepted name by the RHS. [38]
Iris sintenisii is native to temperate regions of Asia Minor, [3] [5] [13] eastern Europe and south eastern Europe. [37] [7] [20]
It is found in Turkey (Asia Minor). [6] [7] [39] Within Europe, it is found in Albania, [25] [31] [37] Bulgaria, [5] [31] [26] Romania, [5] [26] [37] and parts of former Yugoslavia. [18] [31] [26]
It is also found within the south western parts of the Russian Federation or USSR. [6] [7] [19] It is also found in North Macedonia. [40] [41]
One reference mentions France and Ukraine, [17] but these could be naturalized populations.
Iris sintenisii grows in dry grass meadows (including steppes), [5] [20] [9] on scrubland, [20] [9] [18] and at the edges of forests. [5] [20]
It can be found at altitudes of between 900–1500 m above sea level. [5] [18] [28]
It can though be difficult to spot within meadows, after flowering as the leaves are very grass-like. [11]
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 5a (−28.8 °C (−20 °F)) to USDA Zone 9b (−3.8 °C (25 °F)). [15] It is also in European Zone H2. [7] It can tolerate temperatures as low as −18 °C. [17] [33] [18] It is hardy in the UK, [19] although within Russia, it is not hardy in St Petersburg, but thrives in the Botanical Garden of Stavropol. [13] [22]
It prefers to grow in well-drained soils, [33] [8] [29] that do not dry out during the summer. [6] The shallow roots do not like intense summer heat, which dries out the soil. [6] [9] [29] They are tolerate of soils containing limestone. [17] They can grow in neutral to alkaline soils (with a pH level of between 6.6 and 8.5). [15]
The like to grow in positions in full sun or partial shade. [8] [18] [29]
During the summer or growing season, the iris requires lots of moisture to bloom. [6] [14] But care must be taken not to over-water. [15]
They can be grown in a rock garden or rockery, [3] [17] [10] or in the front of a flower border. [6] They are also suitable for use growing in trough or sink gardens (using old large disused sinks). [10] [23]
Care must be taken when weeding during the autumn and early spring, as the leaves are very similar to grass. [18]
Irisi sintenisii can be propagated by division or by seed growing. [15] Since, like many other spuria irises, it resents root disturbance, [6] also the roots are very vulnerable to damage during clump division. [14] It should be propagated by seed. [6] The seeds can be collected from the capsules, when ripe and should be sown direct into clear soil, outdoors or into pots. [6] [15] The young seedlings can then be transplanted either during the beginning of spring or at the start of autumn (fall). [6] [14] They should be plant with a planting distance of 40 cm, as they do not like root competition. [29] This species, which is pollinated by ants, is closely related to Iris graminea. [11]
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [15]
For a long while Iris brandzae was considered a subspecies of Iris sintenisii, but it is now classified as a separate species. [42]
Other known cultivars are 'Sintenissii Uromovi' and 'Topae'. [32]
Iris spuria, or blue flag, is a species of the genus Iris, part of the subgenus Limniris and the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Europe, Asia and Africa. It has purple or lilac flowers, and slender, elongated leaves. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and hybridized for use in the garden. It has several subspecies; Iris spuria subsp. carthaliniae B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. demetrii B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. maritima (Dykes) P.Fourn. and Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica (Fomin) Takht. It used to have 3 other subspecies, which have now been re-classified as separate species; Iris spuria subsp. halophila, Iris spuria ssp. sogdiana and Iris spuria subsp. notha . It has many common names including 'blue iris', 'spurious iris' and 'bastard iris'.
Iris japonica, commonly known as fringed iris, shaga and butterfly flower, is a native of China and Japan. It is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and within the Lophiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with pale blue, lavender or white flowers with an orange or yellow crest. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris graminea is a species of flowering plant belonging to the subgenus Limniris of the genus Iris, in particular the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, with purple or violet blue flowers almost hidden by narrow, grass-like leaves, and a plum scented fragrance. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It has several common names, including grass-leaved flag, grass leaved iris, plum iris and plum tart iris. This species naturally occurs in the southern half of Europe, from Spain and France in the West to Russia and the Caucasus in the East.
Iris series Spuriae are a series of the genus Iris, in Iris subg. Limniris. They are sometimes commonly known as butterfly irises.
Iris uniflora is a species in the genus Iris and in the subgenus Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Russia, Mongolia, China and Korea. It has thin grass-like leaves and stems, and purple, blue-purple or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris masia, commonly known as the barbed iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Syriacae. It is a rhizomatous perennial from the Middle East and Asian Turkey. It has long grass-like leaves, unbranched stems with single flowers in late spring, in shades from purple to violet blue.
Iris farreri is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has grey-green leaves, long stem and 1 or 2 violet, lilac or light blue flowers. It has undergone several changes of name and series, before being left as Iris farreri.
Iris kerneriana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a small rhizomatous perennial plant, with fragrant, yellow flowers from Turkey. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and known as Kerner Iris or Kerner's Iris.
Iris halophila is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with yellow, white or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It comes from a wide range from eastern Europe to China in Asia. It was known for a long while as a subspecies of Iris spuria, before being treated as a separate species in its own right.
Iris halophila var. sogdiana is a species in the genus Iris, subgenus Limniris and series Spuriae. It is a variety of Iris halophila. It was once a species in its own right as Iris sogdiana, before being re-classified as a synonym of Iris halophila, but it has been re-classed again as a variant of Iris halophila. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with blue-violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris notha is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial with deep blue or violet flowers from the Caucasus region. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was once Iris spuria subsp. notha, and can often be found under that name. It has the common name of fake iris or mimic iris in Russia.
Iris pontica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a dwarf rhizomatous perennial plant from eastern Europe, the Causcasus region and Russia, with a short stem and violet-blue and white flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris brandzae is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, originally from Romania with violet and white flowers. It was once thought to be a subspecies of Iris sintenisii, but now classified as a separate species. It is also called Iris Brandzy or Prodan Iris in Russia. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris spuria subsp. maritima is a species of the genus Iris, part of a subgenus series known as Iris subg. Limniris and in the series Iris ser. Spuriae. It is a subspecies of Iris spuria, a beardless, rhizomatous perennial plant, from coastal regions Europe and north Africa with deep blue-violet flowers.
Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica is a species of the genus Iris, part of a subgenus known as Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a subspecies of Iris spuria and is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey in Asia with flowers in various shades of blue, but there are rare white forms. They have a yellow centre and darker veining. It has the common name of 'Muslim iris'. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris korolkowii is a plant species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Tien Shan, Pamir and Altai, in Afghanistan and Turkestan. It is commonly known as the Redvein Iris. It has long, sword-shaped grey-green leaves, slender stem, and 2 to 3 white, cream, pale green or light purple flowers which are veined with maroon, chocolate brown or dark purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris tigridia is a plant species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and China. It has dark green or greyish green, grass-like leaves, a short slender stem and a single flowers that are either violet, dark blue, blue-purple, dark purple, mauve, lilac, lavender, or light purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris bicapitata is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Gargano Peninsula, Italy. It has sickle or pointed leaves, shorter than the flowering stem. It has two flowers, which come in variable shades from yellow, white, lilac, blue and violet. They can also be bi-coloured. It is thought to have been derived from Iris pseudopumila. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris marsica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Apennine Mountains, in Italy. It has glaucous, sickle-shaped or curved, light green leaves, slender stem with 2 branches, and 3 violet, light blue violet, dark violet, and dark purple flowers. It was only found and described since 1973, and is not yet in general cultivation. It was once thought to be a form of Iris germanica, but has different morphological characteristics and different chromosomal differences.
Iris suaveolens is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Eastern Europe, ranging from the Balkans to Turkey. It has short, sickle shaped or curved, blue-green or greyish green leaves, a slender simple stem, with 1 or 2 fragrant spring blooming, flowers, between yellow and purple, with white or yellow beards. It was once known as Iris mellita, until that was re-classified as a synonym of Iris suaveolens. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.