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 hyrcana | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Iris |
| Subgenus: | Iris subg. Hermodactyloides |
| Section: | Iris sect. Reticulatae |
| Species: | I. hyrcana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Iris hyrcana | |
Description
editIris hyrcana has spherical bulbs,[1] that are coated with a solid brown fiberous network.[2]
The leaves appear after flowering,[2] it has 10 cm (3.9 in) high stems.[3][4]
In the Northern Hemisphere it blooms in the winter, between November and January,[5][3] or sometimes in February.[2] The flowers are around 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.18 in) wide.[2][4] The flowers are much smaller than those of other Reticulata irises.[2]
Like other irises, it has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the "falls", and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the "standards".[6]: 17 They come in shades of blue, from clear blue,[5][3][7] to dark blue and purple.[2] The falls have a bright yellow ridge,[5] or orange mark.[2][7]
Biochemistry
editAs most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[6]: 18 It was counted as 2n=20,[2]
Taxonomy
editThe specific epithet hyrcana, refers to Hyrcania, a historical region composed of the land south-east of the Caspian Sea in modern-day Iran.[8]
In 1848, specimens of the plant were originally collected in Azerbaijan.[9] It was described and published in 'Flora Kavkaza' by Alexander Grossheim in 1928.[10]
Iris hyrcana is now an accepted name by the RHS,[11] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 11 December 2024.[12]
It is listed in 1995 in 'Vascular Plants of Russia and adjacent States (the former USSR)' by Czerepanov, S. K.[13]
It was once thought to be a variant of Iris reticulata,[2][5] except Iris hyrcana has spherical bulbs where as Iris reticulata bulbs are drop shaped.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editIris hyrcana is native to temperate areas of western Asia.[12][2]
Range
editOriginally found in the Hyrcanian woods,[3] along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Iran.[1][12][2]
Habitat
editIt is found growing in the mountains along the Caspian Sea.[2]
Cultivation
editIt prefers to grow in sunny sites, on rocky soils that dry out completely in summer.[2]
As it is not very hardy, but it can withstand strong frosts of short duration.[2] Although it is thought to be best grown in the UK and in America, within a bulb frame or alpine house,[5] to keep the soils dry.[2] It also needs a dry, summer dormancy of several months.[2]
A specimen of Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, in South Wales, shown by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.[14]
Toxicity
editLike 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]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Iris hyrcana". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Chapter III bulbous iris". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d "IRIS HYRCANA". cgf.net. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ a b "(SPEC) hyrcana". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Reticulata Irises". www.pacificbulbsociety.org. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ a b Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN 978-0-88192-730-6.
- ^ a b "Iris hyrcana". rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ Massoume Price Iran's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook, p. 30, at Google Books
- ^ "Original material of Iris hyrcana Woronow ex Grossh. [family IRIDACEAE]". jstor.org. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Iridaceae Iris hyrcana Woronow ex Grossh. Vol. 1. www.ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ^ "Iris hyrcana". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Iris hyrcana". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR), p. 281, at Google Books
- ^ "Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, shown by Bob & Rannveig Wallis". twitter.com. 15 Feb 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ^ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books
Other sources
edit- Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR. [lists as I. hyrcana (Woronow)]
- Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 177
External links
edit
Media related to Iris hyrcana at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Iris hyrcana at Wikispecies