Iris vartanii

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Iris vartanii
Iris vartanii 1.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. Hermodactyloides
Section: Iris sect. Reticulatae
Species:
I. vartanii
Binomial name
Iris vartanii
Synonyms [2]

Iridodictyum vartanii(Foster) Rodion.

Iris vartanii is a plant species in the genus Iris . It is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial.

Contents

It was once thought to be part of the Iris subgenus Xiphium. [3] It is sometimes referred to as 'Vartanni Iris', [4] or 'Iris vartani'. [5]

It was first described in 1885 in Gardeners' Chronicle, and an illustration (No.6942) was published in Curtis's Botanical Magazine two years later. [6] It was named by Sir Michael Foster after Dr. Kaloost Vartan from Nazareth. [7] Who discovered the iris while working in Palestine in the foothills around Nazareth, and sent the specimen to Foster for classification. It was originally described as brown in colour, presumably due to deterioration in transportation.

Habit

It has four leaves that are un-equalsided and up to 20 cm tall (when in flower), but that increases to nearly 40 cm later. [8]

It flowers between October and December. [9] The flowers are greyish lilac-white, (or slaty blue [8] ) with falls having dark blue veins. The flowers smell of almonds. [6]

Due to its early flowering (during winter), the leaves can be damaged (by snow and ice) so much that the plant does not form healthy bulbs for the next year. [10] So it is best grown like other species of iris in an alpine house or bulb frame. It is hardy to USDA Zone 3. [6]

Like other members of the reticulata group (including Iris danfordiae), it has the habit of the main bulb splitting into many bulblets, that can take many years (between 2–3 years) to reach flowering size again. [7]

Distribution

It was originally found near the city of Nazareth in Israel. [9] and it was also found in Jordan and Syria. [11] On rocky hillsides. [12] It is found in Golan, Galilee, Mount Carmel, Samarian desert and Judean mountains, various regions of Levantine. [13] But according to Dr Dawud Al-Eisawi's book Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Jordan (1998), it is now thought to be extinct in Jordan. [4] [14]

Cultivar

I. vartaniiWhite pearl First found in 1910 in Beersheba and Hebron, [9] it was originally thought to be a white form of I. histrioides. On 21 December 1912, it was described in 'The Garden' magazine of the Royal Horticultural Society, now as a white form of I. vartanii. Then in 1913, it gained Award of Merit by the RHS. [15]

It is sometimes referred to as Iris vartanii var. alba. [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Iris</i> (plant) Genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae

Iris is a flowering plant genus of 310 accepted species with showy flowers. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also widely used as a common name for all Iris species, as well as some belonging to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is flags, while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as junos, particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower.

<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 juncea</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris juncea is a smooth-bulbed bulbous iris species. The name is derived from 'juncea' from the Greek word meaning 'rush-like'.

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

Iris winogradowii is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris, classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

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

Iris histrio, the Syrian iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and southern Turkey.

<i>Iris filifolia</i> Species of plant in the family Iridaceae

Iris filifolia is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Xiphium. It is a bulbous perennial from North Africa and Europe. It has thin leaves, summer flowers in shades of red-purple.

<i>Iris regis-uzziae</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris regis-uzziae is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. Also known as King Uzziae Iris. Named after the 742BC King of Judah, Uzziah.

Iris albomarginata is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial, from the mountains in the former Russian states of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

<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 planifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

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.

Iris warleyensis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It has long arching mid-green leaves, thin stem and spring flowers in shades of blue.

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 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 grant-duffii</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris grant-duffii 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 Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq, which has brown bristles/spines on the rhizome, long thin greyish green leaves, short stem carrying a single scented flower in shades of yellow.

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

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.

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

Iris mesopotamica, the Mesopotamian iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the middle East, within the countries of Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Israel. It has linear, grey-green or green broad leaves, tall stem with 2–3 branches, holding up to 9 scented flowers, in shades of violet, purple, lavender blue and light blue, with a yellow and white or orange and white beard. It is listed as a synonym of Iris germanica in some sources. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, including being planted in graveyards and cemeteries but may also be used for celebrations and decoration.

<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 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.

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

Iris petrana, commonly known as the Petra iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It has spring blooming flowers that come in shades from burgundy, dark brown to dark violet and purple. They have yellow or dark 'beards' and flower over sword-like grey-green leaves. It is normally found in the desert sands between the countries of Jordan and Israel.

References

  1. ↑ Sapir, Y.; Fragman-Sapir, O. "Iris vartanii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Iris vartanii Foster". theplantlist.org. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Botanical Magazine" (PDF). www.ars-grin.gov. p. 12. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 Moira McCrossan, Hugh Taylor Jordan , p. 8, at Google Books
  5. ↑ Dyke, William Rickatson (6 July 1907). "DYKES ON IRISES" (PDF). www.beardlessiris.org. p. 6. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Walters, Stuart Max (Editor) European Garden Flora: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated , p. 354, at Google Books
  7. 1 2 Foster, Prof. Michael (3 May 1892). "Bulbous Irises" . Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  8. 1 2 Cassidy, G.E.; Linnegar, S. (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. pp. 144–145. ISBN   0-88192-089-4.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Lynch, Richard The Book of the Iris , p. 164, at Google Books
  10. ↑ Dykes, W. R. (5 January 1924). "DYKES ON IRISES (reprints his contributions to various journals) inc. 'The Garden'" (PDF). Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Iris vartanii". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "Iris vartanii". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Iris vartanii". www.wildflowers.co.il. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Black on black or "Iris petrana"". 2005. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "(SPEC) 'White Pearl'". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 19 July 2014.

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