Iris westii

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Iris westii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Species:
I. westii
Binomial name
Iris westii
Synonyms [2]
  • Iris sofarana f. westii(Dinsm.) Mouterde
  • Iris susiana f. westii(Dinsm.) Sealy

Iris westii is a species in the genus Iris , it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the mountain sides of Lebanon. It has curved grey-green leaves, a stem carrying one flower in shades of lilac, white or beige with spotting or veins in a darker shade or violet. The lower petals have deep velvety chocolate or deep violet-black signal patch and a purple beard. It rare and threatened due to habitat destruction, from military actions, overgrazing by goats and other factors.

Contents

Description

Iris westii has short and compact rhizomes, [3] [4] which are about 3 cm long. [5] Underneath the rhizome are very long secondary roots. [5]

It has up to 6, grey-green leaves, [5] [6] which are lanciform (shaped like a lance) [5] or falcate, [4] or curved, [3] and cutlass-shaped. [4] They are around 5–12 mm wide, [3] 6–8 in (152–203 mm) long, [6] and will normally die back after the plant has flowered, then they re-grow in the following spring. [5]

It has a cylindrical stem, [3] that can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long. [5] [7] [8] The stem also has spathes which slightly inflated at the base and are larger than the perianth. [3]

The solitary flower, [4] blooms in mid-season, [8] during April, [5] or May. [3] The large flower resembles the bloom of Iris hermona . [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'. [9] The standards are between 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, [3] in shades of pale lilac, [7] [8] [6] or beige, [5] or white. [4] They are veined and dotted with violet, [4] or dark lilac blue. [8] [7] [6] The oval shaped falls, [3] are 7 cm (3 in) long and 4 cm (2 in) wide. [3] They come in shades of pale tan, [4] pale yellow, [8] [7] or creamy-white. [3] [6] They are also dotted or blotched and veined in purple-violet, [4] purplish, [6] or chocolate shades. [8] [7] In the centre of the falls, is a signal patch which comes in shades of deep velvety chocolate, [8] [7] or deep violet-black. [4] Also it has row of tiny hairs called the 'beard', which is sparse and purple. [7] [8]

It also has style branches which are 2–3 cm long and have toothed edges. [3]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [9] It has a chromosome count of 2n=20. [5] [7] [10]

Taxonomy

It is written in Arabic script as سوسن وست [3]

There is no published reasons to the usage of the Latin specific epithet westii, but William Armstrong West (1894–1980), professor of chemistry in the American University of Beirus accompanied Dinsmore on several of his collecting expeditions, and had a special interest in Oncocylus Irises. [11]

It was found on Mount Lebanon (or as it was previously known as Libanus), [12] and then was published and described by John E. Dinsmore in 1933 in Flora of Syria, Palestine & Sinai; (edited by G. E. Post and printed in Beirut) Edition 2 on page 596. [2] [12] [13]

It was the re-published in Amer. Col. 1933 and in 1939. [8] Although it was listed in the 1939 checklist as a form of Iris susiana (anther Oncocyclus iris) but it was then restored back to species status in Brian Mathew's book 'The Iris') in 1981. [7] [8]

Iris westii is an 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. [13]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia. [13]

Range

It is endemic to Lebanon. [5] [8] [7]

It is also found on Mount Hermon, [4] [15] near the town of Jezzine, [3] and on the southern part of the Lebanon Mountains ridge. [1]

One old source from 1934 mistakenly notes that it is native to Palestine. [6]

Habitat

It grows on the rocky, [3] limestone mountain slopes within open sub-alpine scrubland. [4] [1]

The plants can be found at an altitudes of between 750–1,200 m (2,460–3,940 ft) above sea level, [3] which is quite rare for an Oncocyclus species iris. [5]

Conservation

Total population size of the iris plants was estimated to be less than 500 mature individuals. As the populations found in the Lebanon mountains and in Jezzine area are very small. Mt. Hermon had a relatively large population of 30 to 60 individual plants. [1]

Therefore, it was listed as critically endangered in 2008. [16]

Then similarly to Iris antilibanotica and Iris damascena , it was declared extinct in 2009 in Lebanon, [17] by Saad et al. (2009). Although the IUCN Redlist has reported that the iris has 4 declining populations in 2016 within the southern part of the Lebanon Mountains ridge and from near Jezzine (Niha). [1]

Both of these areas are still littered with landmines, [1] a leftover after the recent war. See Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon between 2011 and 2017. Making the locations both not very accessible. [18]

The plant is still threatened by continuing military activities in the area, overgrazing by goats, [4] crop growing and aquaculture. Also the effects from climate change, which is reducing snow-cover and water availability. These various factors are all thought to be contributing to habitat degradation in Lebanon. [4] [1]

Cultivation

I. westii is not an easy plant to grow, so not suitable for novice growers. It is winter hardy, but does need a well drained soil and plenty of moisture during the growing months, in the spring. After it has flowered, it needs a period of dryness during the summer. Balancing the various needs of the plant is crucial for the plant to grow. [4]

Toxicity

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. [19]

Related Research Articles

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

Subgenus Iris is one subgenus of Iris.

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

Iris hoogiana 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 grassy mountainsides of Turkestan. It has long green leaves, which are slightly purple at the base, and a long slender flowering stem. The flowers are blue, ranging from sky-blue to lavender blue and blue purple. It has orange or yellow beards. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris glaucescens is a plant species in the genus Iris and subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, found in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has blue-grey sickle-shaped leaves, slender stem, and spring flowers in blue-violet, pale violet, lilac-purple, to deep purple, to light bluish, and almost white shades. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and became a synonym of Iris scariosa, before being divided into two separate species again, although some sources still call it a synonym of Iris scariosa.

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

Iris acutiloba is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of the Caucasus and found in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Dagestan in the North Caucasus, and Iran. It is a dwarf species, with narrow, falcate or curved leaves, it has one flower in spring or early summer, that comes in shades from cream, creamy white, whitish, pale brown, light grey, to pale violet. It is heavily veined or streaked and pointed, with 2 dark spots and brown, purple, dark purple, or black short beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. There are two subspecies, Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata and Iris acutiloba subsp. longitepala.

Iris antilibanotica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Syria. It has semi-evergreen, green, falcate leaves, slender stem, bi-coloured flowers, in dark purple, violet. With a small dark spot and purple tipped yellow beard on the outer petals. It is very rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is classified by the IUCN Red List as a critically endangered species in-situ, with only three known wild populations still existing, as well as a few reintroduced populations which were created in an attempt to conserve this very rare species in Lebanon.

Iris assadiana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the deserts of Syria. It has small rhizomes, grey-green strongly curved leaves, slender stems, scented flowers in April, in shades of maroon, purple, deep purple or black. They have dark veining and it also has yellow/white beard tipped with purple. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<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 auranitica</i> Species of plant

Iris auranitica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial in the Jabal al-Druze region in Syria, where it grows at about 1600 m. It has thin and long, greyish-green, semi-evergreen leaves. In May, it has fragranced flowers, with a dark signal patch and yellow beard with purple tips. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

Iris barnumiae subsp. demawendica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Elburz Mountains in Iran. It was originally thought to be a separate species before going through various changes before being classed as a subspecies of Iris barnumiae. It has erect, grey-green (grass-like) leaves and two large flowers, which come in shades from claret-red, burgundy, violet-blue, to dark purple, with a white or cream beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to the environmental conditions it prefers.

Iris basaltica 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 basalt deserts and hillsides of eastern Syria. It has many falcate long leaves, and long stem. Between March and April, it has white or pale green flowers covered in thick purple or black veining and dots or spots. It also has a purple or maroon beard, tipped with yellow. It is rare cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, due to its environmental conditions of its natural habitat.

<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.

Iris cedreti is a species of flowering plant in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial endemic to Lebanon. It has long narrow leaves, short stem, and flowers with a white background which is covered with very small dots or veins of dark maroon, purple, purplish-maroon, or almost black. It has a dark maroon signal patch with a brownish or purplish beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Iris damascena is a species of plant in the genus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial endemic to Mount Qasioun in Syria. It has thin, sickle-shaped, grey-green leaves and medium-sized stem that holds 1-2 large flowers between March and April. Inflorescences are white or grey-white with purple-brown spotting or veining and a small blackish or dark purple signal patch with a sparse, purple or dark purple beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer. The species is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

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

Iris hermona, the Golan iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris, and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the pastures and meadows of the Golan Heights in Israel and Syria. It has linear, upright leaves, tall slender stem holding a bi-coloured flower, having a pale lilac, cream-yellow, light tan, or white background, which is then covered in purple brown, or purple, or purple-pink veining, spots or speckling. It has a round purple-brown or almost black signal patch, and a sparse purple brown or almost black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

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

Iris mariae 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 deserts of Israel and Egypt. It is fairly tall, with long and slender glaucous leaves, and in late spring, lilac-purple to pinkish or violet flowers with deeper veining and blackish-violet signal and dark purple beard.

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

Iris lortetii is a species in the genus Iris. It has straight grey-green leaves, a 30–50 cm tall stem, and large showy flowers in late spring or mid-summer that come in shades of pink, from white, lilac, pale lavender and grey-purple. It is veined and dotted pink or maroon. It has a signal patch that is deep maroon and a sparse and brown, purple-brown or reddish beard.

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

Iris paradoxa is a species of flowering plant native to western Asia. It has large upright petals and smaller lower petals, which is unique amongst most iris forms. They come in various shades from white, lavender, mauve, medium purple, violet, dark purple to black. It has a black or purplish black beard on the lower petals. It comes from the region of Transcaucasia, and is found in the countries of Iran, Turkey, Armenia and in Azerbaijan.

<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.

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

Iris susiana, commonly known as the mourning iris, is a species of perennial plant in the family Iridaceae. The mourning iris is native to the Middle East. It grows in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, although it is believed to be extinct in the wild. It is popular as a cut flower as the flowers can easily span 12 centimeters. The survival of the species is seriously threatened by excessive picking.

Iris yebrudii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is from the hillsides of Syria. It has curved leaves, often hiding a single stem and the spring flower is pale yellow, covered in fine spots, veining and has a dark purple signal patch and purple beard.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Semaan, M.; Sapir, Y. (2016). "Iris westii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T13162169A112202111. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T13162169A112202111.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Iris westii Dinsm. — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Species:Iris westii Dinsm". lebanon-flora.org. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Iris westii – RarePlants". www.rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "chapitre I (partie 5) Les Oncocyclus II". dictionaire des iridacée (in French). irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bureau of Plant Industry United States Department of Agriculture, Inventory, Issues 111-131, May 1934 , p. 12, at Google Books
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pries, Bob (25 August 2016). "SpecWestii < Spec < Iris Wiki". wiki.irises.org. American Iris Society. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  9. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   0881927309.
  10. ↑ Samad, Nour Abdel; Dagher-Kharrat, Magda Bou; Hidalgo, Oriane; El Zein, Rana; Douaihy, Bouchra; Siljak-Yakovlev, Sonja (15 August 2016). "Unlocking the Karyological and Cytogenetic Diversity of Iris from Lebanon: Oncocyclus Section Shows a Distinctive Profile and Relative Stasis during Its Continental Radiation". PLOS ONE. 11 (8): e0160816. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160816 . PMC   4985135 . PMID   27525415.
  11. ↑ W.A. West. New Oncocyclus Irises. Iris Yearbook. 1934. page 75.
  12. 1 2 "Iris westii |". www.ipni.org. International Plant Names Index . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 "Taxon: Iris westii Dinsm". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "Iris westii". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "Iris westii - A new population of the rare Iris westii from Mt. Hermon" (in Hebrew). botanic.co.il. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  16. ↑ Dominguez, Rafael Diez. "Iris westii". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  17. ↑ Christopher Martin Cumo Encyclopedia of Cultivated Plants: From Acacia to Zinnia Volume 1: A-F (2013) , p. 531, at Google Books
  18. ↑ Saad, Layla; Khuri, Sawsan (4 August 2003). "Hanging in There by a Fall – The Oncocyclus Irises of Lebanon" (PDF). orbi.uliege.be. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  19. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

Other sources

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