Difference between revisions of "Iris humilis"
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Template:Italic titleTemplate:Taxobox Iris humilis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from a wide distribution range from Europe to Russia to China, via Mongolia and Kazakhstan. It has sword-shaped leaves, a short stem and yellow flowers with an orange beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
It once had Iris arenaria as a synonym or as a subspecies,it is a yellow dwarf iris only from central Europe. In some sources it is still listed as a subspecies of Iris humilis.
Contents
Description
Iris humilis is very similar in form to Iris mandshurica (another Psammiris species), which leaves curve to one side, but it is a shorter plant.<ref name=onego>Template:Cite web</ref>
It has thick creeping rhizome,<ref name=kasatik>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=green>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Herald>Template:Cite journal</ref> which is branched,<ref name=green/> and about 1 cm in diameter.<ref name=agbina>Template:Cite web</ref> The rhizome has the remains of last seasons leaves on the top.<ref name=onego/>
It has bluish-green,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/> gray-green,<ref name=greenmania>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=gruppen>Template:Cite web</ref> or light glaucous green,<ref name=british>British Iris Society (1997) Template:Google books</ref><ref name=irisbotanique>Template:Cite web</ref> sword shaped or lanceolate,<ref name=kasatik/> basal leaves.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=greenmania/> They can grow up to Template:Convert long,<ref name=gruppen/><ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/> and between 0.2-0.7 cm wide,<ref name=onego/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=british/><ref name=signa>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=alpine>Template:Cite web</ref> They have incurving tips,<ref name=british/><ref name=alpine/> and they disappear in summer, after flowering.<ref name=irisbotanique/>
It has a simple dwarf (or short stem),<ref name=solstice>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=stebbings>Template:Cite book</ref> that can grow up to between Template:Convert tall.<ref name=kasatik/><ref name=green/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=greenmania/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=signa/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=daves>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=pacific>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=cassidy>Template:Cite book</ref>
The stems have 2-3 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are lanceolate and are (scarious) membranous at the top of the leaf.<ref name=green/><ref name=british/> They have short,<ref name=green/> 7.5mm long pedicels (flower stalks).<ref name=british/>
The stems hold between 1 and 3 flowers,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=greenmania/><ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=Lawrence>Elizabeth Lawrence, Nancy Sanders Goodwin and Allen Lacy Template:Google books</ref> in late spring,<ref name=green/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=stebbings/> between April and June.<ref name=kasatik/><ref name=green/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=greenmania/><ref name=british/><ref name=solstice/><ref name=Lawrence/> The flowers only last for a day,<ref name=Lawrence/> but they sometimes repeat the display.<ref name=solstice/>
The vanilla scented,<ref name=Lawrence/> flowers are Template:Convert in diameter,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=Lawrence/> come in shades of yellow,<ref name=onego/><ref name=kasatik/><ref name=green/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=greenmania/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=american/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=Lawrence/><ref name=aril>Template:Cite web</ref> including bright yellow.<ref name=british/><ref name=daves/><ref name=cassidy/>
The flower buds are normally green, that have a slight tinge of bronze.<ref name=british/>
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'.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=ClaireAustin>Template:Cite book</ref> The falls are oblong shaped, and Template:Convert long and 1.2 cm wide.<ref name=british/> They are veined brown or purple brown.<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=aril/> They have a central orange beard.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=american/><ref name=cassidy/> The shorter,<ref name=british/><ref name=signa/> standards are Template:Convert long and 0.3 cm wide.<ref name=british/> The standards are nor erect and this gives the flower a flattish appearance.<ref name=signa/>
It has a 1 cm long ovary and a 0.5 cm long, funnel shaped perianth tube.<ref name=british/>
It has styles that are shorter than the petals,<ref name=signa/> about 2.5 cm long, they have short narrow crests.<ref name=british/>
The anthers are cream with green-black edging and the pollen is greenish coloured.<ref name=british/>
After the iris has flowered, in August,<ref name=green/> it produces an elliptical seed capsule,<ref name=onego/> which is about 3 cm long.<ref name=british/> The capsules dehisce (split open), below the apex.<ref name=british/> Inside the capsules, are wrinkled, light brown,<ref name=onego/> or brown,<ref name=green/> pyriform (pear-shaped) seeds.<ref name=british/> They have flat creamy-white aril (or appendage).<ref name=british/>
Biochemistry
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.<ref name=ClaireAustin/> It is normally published as 2n=22.<ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific/>
There has been several counts, over the years including 2n=27, Krogulevich 1978, 2n-24, Sokolovskya & Probatova, 1986, 2n=28, Starobudtsev & Mironova, 1990, 2n=28, Malakhova, 1990, 2n=28 Malakhova & Markova, 1994. As Iris flavissima 2n=22, Doronkin.<ref name=american/> This shows two separate entities.<ref name=american/>
Since Iris arenaria has a count of 2n=22,<ref name="offene-naturfuehrer.de">Template:Cite web</ref> This means that Iris flavissima is a synonym of Iris arenaria and 2n=27 or 2n=28 is the true counts of Iris humilis.
Taxonomy
It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (humilis) HEW-mil-is.<ref name=daves/>
It has the common name of sand iris.<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=daves/><ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref> Although, this name normally refers to Iris arenaria, which was formerly once thought to be a subspecies of Iris humilis, but it is now a separate species in its own right.<ref name="offene-naturfuehrer.de"/> It is also known as low iris,<ref name=onego/><ref name=plantarium>Template:Cite web</ref> and yellow iris.<ref name=kasatik/><ref name=solstice/><ref name=plantarium/> Note, that Iris pseudacorus is commonly known as the 'yellow flag' or 'yellow iris' as well.
It is known as Sand-Schwertlilie (meaning sand iris) in Germany.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Latin specific epithet humilis refers to low growing or dwarfish.<ref name=gruppen/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
It was first published and described by Johann Gottlieb Georgi in 'Bemerkungen einer Reise im Russischen Reich' (Bemerk. Reise Russ. Reich) Vol.1 page196 in 1775.<ref name=grin/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Alekseeva>Template:Cite web</ref>
Georgi described from specimen plants from near to Lake Baikal, (it was called originally Iris flavissima).<ref name=Alekseeva/> Which is now classified as a synonym of Iris humilis.<ref name=plantlist/>
It was also published by Karl H. Ugrinsky in 'Fedde's Report. Spec. Nov., Beihefte' Vol.14 in 1922.<ref name=american/>
In 1808, Bieberstein called a plant (from the Caucasus mountains) 'Iris humilis', in 'Fl. Taur.-Caucas' Vol.1 page33. It was later changed (due to Georgi's earlier publishing) and re-classified as a synonym of Iris pontica Zapal. need ref
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated 2 December 2004.<ref name=grin/>
Iris humilis is an accepted name by the RHS.<ref name=rhs>Template:Cite web</ref>
Distribution and habitat
It is native to a wide distribution area, including temperate regions of Asia and Europe.<ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=grin/>
Range
It is found in Europe,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=Lawrence/><ref name=aril/><ref name=rhs/> within the countries of Austria,<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/> Czechoslovakia,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/> Hungary,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=cassidy/> and Romania.<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=grin/> Although, some or most of these plants could be Iris arenaria, who has a distribution in central and eastern Europe.
It is found within the Siberian region,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=british/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=grin/> of the Russian Federation,<ref name=british/><ref name=signa/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=solstice/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=aril/> in the states of Buryatia, Chita, Irkutsk, Magadan, Primorye and Tuva.<ref name=grin/> It is also found in Kazakhstan (formerly part of Russia).<ref name=grin/>
Within Asia, it found in China,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=rhs/> within the Chinese provinces, of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Nei Monggol, Ningxia and Xinjiang,<ref name=grin/> It is also found in Mongolia,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=british/><ref name=signa/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=solstice/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=grin/> and Japan.<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=rhs/>
It is listed with Iris glaucescens, Iris lactea, Iris ruthenica, Iris sibirica, Iris tenuifolia and Iris tigridia being found in the Altai-Sayan region (where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Habitat
It grows in calcareous sandy and stony (or rocky) areas.<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=british/> Including (mountain and hill) slopes,<ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=alpine/> meadows,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=plantarium/> steppes,<ref name=onego/><ref name=kasatik/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=plantarium/> and on the edges of birch forests,<ref name=kasatik/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=greenmania/> or pine forests,<ref name=onego/> and beside river banks.<ref name=kasatik/>
They can be found at an altitude of Template:Convert above sea level.<ref name=british/>
Conservation
The iris is rare in various regions,<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/><ref name=greenmania/><ref name=signa/> especially in European Russia and Ukraine.<ref name=signa/>
It is listed in the Red Book of Omsk and Tyumen regions (of Siberia).<ref name=onego/><ref name=green/><ref name=Herald/>
Many populations of Iris humilis exist in protected reserves including, Azas, Baikal-Lensky, Baikal, Barguzinsky, Sokhondinsky and Ubsunur.<ref name=onego/><ref name=Herald/>
Cultivation
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 1 and Zone 6.<ref name=signa/><ref name=daves/> It survives in Siberia, so is cold resistant.<ref name=onego/>
It prefers to grow in well drained soils,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=gruppen/><ref name=cassidy/> it prefers soils containing sand.<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=Lawrence/>
It can tolerate mildly acidic or mildly alkaline soils (PH levels between 6.1 and 7.8),<ref name=daves/> including those with lime.<ref name=Lawrence/>
It can tolerate positions in full sun or partial shade.<ref name=greenmania/><ref name=daves/><ref name=Lawrence/>
It has average water needs during the growing season,<ref name=daves/>
The leaves can be damaged by rust fungi.<ref name=green/>
It can be grown in rock gardens,<ref name=onego/><ref name=gruppen/> including rock screes,<ref name=cassidy/> but needs plenty of space.<ref name=british/>
It is rarely grown in the UK.<ref name=stebbings/> To grow in the UK, William Rickatson Dykes recommends to plant the iris, on a 5 cm layer of sand, over garden soil with added leaf mould (or compost).<ref name=british/>
In 1812, it was grown in gardens near Moscow.<ref name=Alekseeva/> It was then tested at botanic gardens in St. Petersburg, Barnaul, Novosibirsk and Chita.<ref name=onego/>
Propagation
It can be propagated by division (of the rhizome), or by seed growing.<ref name=green/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=british/><ref name=daves/>
In the wild, some habitats generate poor seed and vegetative propagation.<ref name=green/>
The plant needs to be hand pollinated (in the UK) to create seed.<ref name=british/>
Seeds are collected from the dry pods/capsules, when the seeds are ripe.<ref name=daves/>
Seeds need cold stratification, to germinate. They germinate very slowly. In the lab, seeds do not exceed a germination rate of 30%.<ref name=green/>
Seeds should be sown in trays, in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.<ref name=daves/>
Germinated seedlings, can produce flowers in the second year of growth.<ref name=british/>
Hybrids and cultivars
Iris humilis cultivars include; 'Borzeana', 'Dahurica', 'Flavissima', 'Flavissima Orientalis', 'Flavissima Phylospatha', 'Stolonifera' 'Transuralensis' and 'Umbrosa'.<ref name=american/>
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.<ref name=daves/>
Traditional medicine
The rhizomes can be used as part of a Tibetan herbal medicine to regulate menstruation. A powdered form of the rhizome can be used for sepsis and infections.<ref name=kasatik/>
References
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).
- Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 39–40.
- Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea.
- Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994–. Flora of China (English edition).
External links
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