Iris ruthenica

2017-03-31T14:44:49Z

Choess: fix references

{{italic title}}{{taxobox
|name = Iris ruthenica
|image =
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
|unranked_classis = [[Monocots]]
|ordo = [[Asparagales]]
|familia = [[Iridaceae]]
|subfamilia = [[Iridoideae]]
|tribus = [[Irideae]]
|genus = ''[[Iris (plant)|Iris]]''
|subgenus = ''[[Iris subg. Limniris|Limniris]]''
|series = ''[[Iris series Ruthenicae|Ruthenicae]]''
|species = '''''Iris ruthenica'''''
|binomial = ''Iris ruthenica''
|binomial_authority = [[John Bellenden Ker Gawler|Ker-Gawl]]
|synonyms ={{Species list|Iris alpina|Pall. ex Roem. & Schult.|Iris caespitosa|Pall. ex Link|Iris humilis|Schur [Illegitimate]|Iris nana|(Maxim.) Nakai [Illegitimate] |Iris ruthenica f. leucantha|Y.T.Zhao|Iris ruthenica var. nana|Maxim.|Iris ruthenica subsp. ruthenica|(unknown) |Iris ruthenica var. ruthenica|(unknown)|Iris ruthenica var. uniglumis|Spach|Iris verna|Pall. [Illegitimate]|Joniris ruthenica|(Ker Gawl.) Klatt|Limniris ruthenica|(Ker Gawl.) Fuss|Xiphion ruthenicum|(Ker Gawl.) Alef.
<ref name=plantlist>{{cite web|title= Iris ruthenica Ker Gawl. is an accepted name | url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-322333?ref=tpl1 | date=23 March 2012 | publisher=theplantlist.org| accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>}}
}}
'''''Iris ruthenica''''', sometimes called 'Ever Blooming Iris' (in the UK), 'Russian Iris', 'Pilgrim Iris' and 'Hungarian Iris' (in Europe), is a species in the genus ''[[Iris (plant)|Iris]]''- subgenus [[Iris subg. Limniris|Limniris]]. It is a [[rhizomatous]] [[perennial plant|perennial]], with a wide distribution, ranging from eastern Europe to Central Asia. It has grass-like leaves, thick stem and violet or bluish lavender flowers which are marked with violet veining.

==Description==
''Iris ruthenica'' is very variable and hybrids can look very similar to ''[[Iris uniflora]]''.<ref name=efloras/> The other species in the ''Iris series Ruthenicae''. It can be variable with its leaf length and width, and flower height.<ref name=alpine>{{cite web | title=Iris ruthenica | url=http://encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/Iris/ruthenica | publisher=encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net | accessdate=6 November 2014}}</ref>

It has a creeping rhizome,<ref name=botanic/><ref name=onego/><ref name=differences/><ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) {{Google books|CkxWrDqtWLQC|The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification|page=251}}</ref> (about 3-5mm in diameter) which is branched and has fibrous roots.<ref name=efloras/> The creeping rhizome forms a clump or a grass-like tuft plant.<ref name=alpine/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=clareaustin>{{cite web|first=Claire |last=Austin |title=Irises A Garden Encyclopedia| pages=274–275, 287| url=https://worldtracker.org/media/library/Reference/Encyclopedia's/Encyclopedia%20of%20Irises.pdf| format=pdf| publisher=worldtracker.org |accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

It has bright green leaves<ref name=botanic/><ref name=European/><ref name=clareaustin/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=FloraofUSSR/> or greyish green leaves.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=differences/> That are tall and thin, and grass-like,<ref name=alpine/><ref name=FloraofUSSR/><ref name=hungarian/><ref name=cassidy/> measuring between 10 – 40 cm (8–13 in) long and 2 – 6 mm wide.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=onego/> The leaves can grow longer than the flower stem.<ref name=FloraofUSSR/>

The plant (stem and flowers) grows to a height of between 3–20 cm <ref name=onego/> ref name=signa/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=European/><ref name=hungarian/>(12 in).<ref name=clareaustin/>

The thick stem is 2–3 cm wide,<ref name=FloraofUSSR>{{cite web|first=V.L. | last=Komarov | year=1935 | title=Akademiya Nauk SSSR (FLORA of the U.S.S.R.) Vol. IV | publisher=archive.org | url=https://archive.org/stream/floraofussr04bota/floraofussr04bota_djvu.txt | accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> can grow to heights of between 3–20 cm.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=onego/><ref name=hungarian/> It has the remains of last years leaves at the base of the stem.<ref name=FloraofUSSR/>

It blooms in spring,<ref name=hardy/> (between May, June and July in the UK)<ref name=clareaustin/><ref name=signa/> or early to mid summer,<ref name=alpine/> with one normally, but occasionally 2 fragrant flowers.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=onego/><ref name=European/><ref name=clareaustin/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=FloraofUSSR/><ref name=cassidy>{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=George E.| last2=Linnegar | first2=Sidney | date=1987 |edition=Revised | title= Growing Irises |location=Bromley | publisher=Christopher Helm | page=146 | isbn=0-88192-089-4}}</ref><ref name=signa/>

The large flowers are between 3–5 cm in diameter,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=European/> with a cylindric,<ref name=FloraofUSSR/> perianth tube measuring 0.5--1.5 cm long.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=European/>
The flowers come in a range of blue shades between violet <ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=clareaustin/><ref name=signa/> and bluish lavender.<ref name=alpine/><ref name=onego/><ref name=cassidy/> Which are marked with violet veining.<ref name=alpine/><ref name=differences/><ref name=clareaustin/><ref name=hardy/> The falls (measuring 4.5–5 cm) are white.<ref name=alpine/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=differences/><ref name=European/><ref name=clareaustin/><ref name=cassidy/> The standards are (measuring 4–6 cm) are almost erect.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=botanic/><ref name=European/> The bracts (measuring 3–5 cm ) are greenish with pink margins,<ref name=European/> violet blue stigma,<ref name=hardy/> and milky white anthers.<ref name=efloras/>

It has a globose (globe-like) to ovoid shaped seed capsule (measuring 1.2--1.5 cm) in June–August (after the flowering period is over).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=FloraofUSSR/><ref name=dykes/> Once they are ripe, the seed capsules fully open and all the seeds are dispersed in one movement. Unlike other iris species.<ref name=dykes/> The seeds are pyriform (pear-shaped) and have an aril (white appendage on the edge of the seed).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=botanic/> The aril disappears soon after and shrivels up.<ref name=dykes/>

===Biochemistry===
As most irises are [[diploid]], having two sets of [[chromosomes]]. Which can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.<ref name=ClaireAustin>{{cite web| first=Claire | last=Austin | title=Irises A Garden Encyclopedia| pages=274–275 | url=https://worldtracker.org/media/library/Reference/Encyclopedia's/Encyclopedia%20of%20Irises.pdf | format=pdf | publisher=worldtracker.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> It has a chromosome count: 2n=84 <ref name=efloras/><ref name=signa>{{cite web | first=D. | last=Kramb | date=10 November 2003 | title=Iris ruthenica | url=http://www.signa.org/index.pl?Iris-ruthenica | publisher=signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America) | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=iapt>{{cite web | editor=Karol Marhold | title=IAPT/IOPB chromosome data 9 | url=http://www.iopb.org/PDF/IAPT_IOPB_Chr_data9.pdf | format=pdf | publisher=iopb.org | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> (found by Simonet in 1934).<ref name=america/>

== Taxonomy==
It is written as 紫苞鸢尾 in Chinese script,<ref>{{cite web | title=Iris ruthenica | url=http://www.nciku.com/search/en/detail/Iris+ruthenica/1827850 | publisher=nciku.com | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> and known as 'zi bao yuan wei'.<ref name=efloras>{{cite web | title=FOC Vol. 24 Page 303 | url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200028204 | publisher=efloras.org | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

It is named after the region of the '[[Ruthenia]]', in [[Transylvania]] and [[Romania]],<ref name=dykes>{{cite web| first=William | last=Dykes| title=Handbook of Garden Irises | year=2009| url=http://www.beardlessiris.org/reviews/handbook%20of%20garden%20irises%20-%20dykes.pdf | format=pdf | publisher=beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises) | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

It has several common names; 'Ever Blooming Iris' (in the UK),<ref>{{cite web | title=page 68 | url=http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/A_Dictionary_of_English_Names_of_Plants_Applied_in_England_and_Among_v1_1000196705/77 | publisher=forgottenbooks.com | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=rhs>{{cite web | title=Ever blooming Iris | url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/9350/Ever-blooming-iris/Details | publisher= rhs.org.uk (Royal Horticultural Society) | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> 'Russian Iris',<ref name=botanic>{{cite web | title=Iris ruthenica | url=http://navigate.botanicgardens.org/weboi/oecgi2.exe/INET_ECM_DispPl?NAMENUM=6187&DETAIL=1&startpage=1 | publisher=navigate.botanicgardens.org | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=hardy>William Robinson{{Google books|OqORbrG8FhAC|Hardy Flowers | page=152}}</ref><ref name=rhs/><ref>Aleksandr Leonidovich Kovalevsk (Editor){{Google books|kKLE_Be1xmUC|Biogeochemical Exploration for Mineral Deposits|page=70}}</ref> 'Pilgrim Iris' (sometimes called a synonym of Iris ruthenica),<ref name=america>{{cite web| title=(SPEC) Iris ruthenica Ker-Gawl. | url=http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecRuthenica | date=10 January 2014 | first=Terry | last=Laurin | publisher=wiki.irises.org | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=rockgarden>Elizabeth Lawrence {{Google books |ArmOKwXGkscC|A Rock Garden in the South |page=76}}</ref> and 'Hungarian Iris' in Europe.<ref name=hungarian>{{cite web| url=http://www.hih-gruppen.se/iris/irisgalleri/arter/ruthenica_Spec.html | title=Iris ruthenica | publisher=hih-gruppen.se | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

It is known as ''ungersk iris'' in [[Sweden]].<ref name=grin>{{cite web |title=Taxon: Iris Iris ruthenica Ker Gawl. |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20390 |publisher=ars-grin.gov ([[Germplasm Resources Information Network]]) |accessdate=30 April 2015}}</ref>

''Iris ruthenica'' was first published by [[John Bellenden Ker Gawler]] in Botanical Magazine in 1808.<ref name=grin/><ref>{{cite web | first1=C | last1=Barker | first2=R | last2=Govaerts | title=Iris ruthenica Ker Gawl., Bot. Mag. 28: t. 1123 (1808). | url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=322333 | publisher=apps.kew.org | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> It was later published in 1811, as 'Iris ruthenica' with the common name 'Pigmy Iris' in [[Curtis's Botanical Magazine]], vol. 34, table 1393.<ref name=america/> Pigmy Iris is now used as the common name of ''[[Iris pumila]]''.

It was mentioned the journals of [[Frederick William Beechey|Captain Beechy]]'s Voyage (in 1825).<ref name=beechy>William Jackson Hooker {{Google books |0cNt5HhjOxoC|The Botany of Captain Beechy's Voyage|page=396}}</ref>

It is mentioned in Cherepanov's Vascular Plants of Russia.<ref name=vascular>Sergeĭ Kirillovich Cherepanov {{Google books |Up0XgqTk2pkC|Vascular Plants of Russia and Adjacent States (the Former USSR) |page=280}}</ref>

It was verified by [[United States Department of Agriculture]] and the [[Agricultural Research Service]] on 42 October 2014.<ref name=grin/>

''Iris ruthenica'' is an accepted name by the [[Royal Horticultural Society|RHS]].<ref name=rhs/>

==Distribution and habitat==
''Iris ruthenica'' is [[native plant|native]] to a wide region, including temperate Asia and Europe.<ref name=grin/>

===Range===
It is found in southern [[Russia]] and [[Siberia]],<ref name=onego/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=FloraofUSSR/> through Central Asia,<ref>Mark V Lomolino, Dov F. Sax and James H Brown (editors){{Google books|KbkCgsEPv6YC|Foundations of Biogeography : Classic Papers with Commentaries Parts 1-4|page=475}}</ref> (including [[Altai Mountains]] and [[Turkestan]],<ref name=dykes/> on the [[Tian Shan|Tien Shen]] mountain range,<ref name=onego/> [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Mongolia]])<ref name=greentours>{{cite web| url=http://www.greentours.co.uk/Asia/THE-ALTAI/ | title=THE ALTAI, CENTRAL ASIA'S GOLDEN MOUNTAINS | publisher=greentours.co.uk | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> to [[China]] and [[Korea]].<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=European/><ref name=hungarian/><ref name=signa/><ref name=stebbings/>
Within Europe, it is found in [[Romania]].<ref name=grin/>

It is listed with ''[[Iris bloudowii]]'', ''[[Iris humilis]]'', ''[[Iris lactea]]'', ''[[Iris sibirica]]'', ''[[Iris tenuifolia]]'' and ''[[Iris tigridia]]'' as being found in the [[Altai-Sayan region]] (where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together).<ref>{{cite web |title=Biodiversity of Altai-Sayan Ecoregion |url=http://www.bioaltai-sayan.ru/regnum/eng/species_all.php?right=box-spec-p/iris.php |publisher=bioaltai-sayan.ru |accessdate=15 August 2015}}</ref>

===Habitat===
It is found on dry meadows (including grass plains and steppes), pine and birch forest edges and edges of woodland.<ref name=alpine/><ref name=onego/><ref name=clareaustin/> It can also be found in forest clearings in the forest-meadow mountain belt. Forming a thicket ground-cover.<ref name=onego/>

In Mongolia it is found under [[Pinus sylvestris]]/[[Betula platyphylla]] subtaiga forests, in montane meadow steppes with ''[[Festuca lenensis]]'' and ''[[Artemisia sericea]]'' and in ''[[Pinus sibirica]]''/''[[Picea obovata]]'' dark taiga forests (within the upper montane belt with ''[[Rubus saxatilis]]'' and ''[[Lathyrus humilis]]'').<ref>{{cite web| first1=Choimaa | last1=Dalamsuren | first2=Markus | last2=Hauck | first3=Michael | last3=Muhlenberg | date=7 January 2005 | title=Vegetation at the Taige forst steppe borderline in Western Khentey Mountains, Northern Mongolia | page=415 | url=http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anbf42/anbf42-411.pdf | publisher= sekj.org (Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board) | format=pdf | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

Elsewhere in Eurasia, it is found in the Larch forests of Altai and [[Sayan Mountains|Sayan mountains]] including Tuva).<ref>Folke Andersson (editor) {{Google books |YoO8xKYSJAC|Coniferous Forests |page=72-73}}</ref>

It is also found in [[Tuva]]n Forests as a subcanopy woody species.<ref>{{cite web | first1=G. A. | last1=Ivanova1 | first2=V. A. | last2=Ivanov | first3=E. A. | last3=Kukavskaya | first4=A. J. | last4=Soja | title=The frequency of forest fires in Scots pine stands of Tuva, Russia | date=27 January 2010 | url=http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/5/1/015002/fulltext/ | publisher= iopscience.iop.org | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

On the Altai Mountains, it is found with other mountain flowers including Siberian Dogs-tooth Violet (''[[Erythronium krylovii]]''), Altai Foxtail Lily (''[[Eremurus]]''), a variety of [[saxifrage]]s, ''[[Aquilegia]]'', ''[[Gentiana grandiflora]]'', ''[[Papaver nudicaule]]'' and the yellow ''[[Iris bloudowii]]''.<ref name=greentours/>

At altitudes of between 1800 and 3600m.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/>

==Cultivation==
It is [[Hardiness (plants)|hardy]] to [[USDA]] Zone 2<ref name=botanic/> or Zone 3.<ref name=differences>{{cite web | first=Toni | last=Owen | url=http://homeguides.sfgate.com/differences-between-iris-reticulata-ruthenica-61186.html | title=The Differences Between Iris Reticulata & Ruthenica | publisher=homeguides.sfgate.com | accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref>

Iris ruthenica does not flower very well in the UK.<ref name=cassidy/> It is best cultivated in fertile soils that do not dry out.<ref name=hardy>William Robinson{{Google books|OqORbrG8FhAC|Hardy Flowers | page=152}}</ref><ref name=dykes/> It is best suited for Rock Gardens or at the front of a flower border.<ref name=hardy/><ref name=hungarian/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=ClaireAustin /> Although sinks or troughs could be used.<ref name=cassidy/> It also grows well on dry peat banks<ref name=stebbings>{{cite book |last=Stebbings |first=Geoff |year=1997|title=The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises |url= |location=Newton Abbot |publisher=David and Charles |page=18 |isbn=0715305395 }}</ref> It is tolerant of semi-shade, but prefers full sun.<ref name=botanic/><ref name=differences/><ref name=cassidy/>

Unlike many other irises, it can only be moved with success, during the spring and summer when it is in full growth.<ref name=hungarian/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=dykes/>

''Iris ruthenica'' is grown in several Russian botanical gardens including, Barnaul, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, Kirov, Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Tomsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk and Chita.<ref name=onego>{{cite web | first=Nina | last=Alekseeva | title=Iris ruthenia | year=2007 | url=http://flower.onego.ru/other/iris/iris_rut.html | publisher=flower.onego.ru | accessdate=6 November 2014}}</ref>

===Propagation===
It can be propagated by division or by seed.<ref name=differences/><ref name=dykes/> The seeds should be sown in the autumn and the rhizomes divided in early spring.<ref name=onego/> The seeds germinate fairly quickly and new plants are easily raised.<ref name=dykes/> But the young plants must not dry out.<ref name=hungarian/> The old and damaged rhizomes should be removed before replanting.<ref name=differences/>

===Hybrids and Cultivars===
''Iris ruthenica var. nana'' was once thought to be a smaller variety of Iris ruthenica.<ref name=america/><ref>{{cite web | title= Iris ruthenica var nana | url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/43605/Iris-ruthenica-var-nana | publisher= rhs.org.uk | accessdate=5 November 2014 }}</ref> but this is now considered a synonym.<ref name=plantlist/>

Although, ''Iris ruthenica var. brevituba'' which has a small perianth tube<ref name=efloras/> and violet flowers,<ref name=jardin>{{cite web|title=Iris ruthenica - Ris Ruthenia, Iris Belarusian |url=http://nature.jardin.free.fr/1105/iris_ruthenica.html | publisher=nature.jardin.free.fr | accessdate=5 November 2014 }}</ref> it is also now considered a variant.<ref>{{cite web | title=Iris ruthenica subsp. brevituba (Maxim.) Doronkin is an accepted name | url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-322335 | date=23 March 2012 | publisher=theplantlist.org |accessdate=5 November 2014 }}</ref>

Iris ruthenica has the following known cultivars;
*'Gamlin Blue' <ref name=america/><ref name=hort>{{cite web | title=RE: Iris runthenic | date=30 May 2010 | url=http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-species/may10/msg00114.html | publisher= hort.net | accessdate=6 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=IRIS PHOTO GALLERY | url=http://www.hootowlhollow.com/photos/iris/a_index.html | publisher=hootowlhollow.com | accessdate=6 November 2014}}</ref>
*'Red Form'<ref name=america/><ref name=hort/>

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

==Other sources==
*Aldén, B., S. Ryman & M. Hjertson. 2009. Våra kulturväxters namn - ursprung och användning. Formas, Stockholm (Handbook on Swedish cultivated and utility plants, their names and origin).
*Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR).
*Khassanov, F. O. & N. Rakhimova. 2012. Taxonomic revision of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) for the flora of Central Asia. Stapfia 97:175.
*Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR.
*Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 83.
*Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea.
*Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Iris ruthenica}}
*{{Wikispecies-inline|Iris ruthenica}}

[[Category:Iris (plant)|ruthenica]]
[[Category:Flora of Central Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Eastern Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of China]]
[[Category:Flora of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Flora of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Flora of Russia]]
[[Category:Garden plants of Asia]]
[[Category:Garden plants of Europe]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1901]]

Kazakhstan Encyclopedia - User contributions [en]

Iris ruthenica