Iris korolkowii

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Italic titleTemplate:Taxobox Iris korolkowii is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Regelia section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Tien Shan, Pamir and Altai, in Afghanistan and Turkestan (now part of Uzbekistan). It is commonly known as the Redvein Iris. It has long, sword-shaped grey-green leaves, slender stem, and 2 to 3 white, cream, pale green or light purple flowers which are veined with maroon, chocolate brown or dark purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Description

It has thick or stout rhizomes,<ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) Template:Google books</ref><ref name=bricknell>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=ussr>Template:Cite web</ref> that are short and compact.<ref name=Lynch>Richard Lynch and Henry Ewbank Template:Google books</ref><ref name=cassidy>Template:Cite book</ref> It also has long secondary roots, the fleshy, thin stolons,<ref name=European/><ref name=efloras>Template:Cite web</ref> that penetrate into the ground for minerals to feed the plant.<ref name=irisbotanique>Template:Cite web</ref> They are shorter than Iris stolonifera and Iris hoogiana.<ref name=handbook>Template:Cite web</ref> The top of the rhizome, has the fibrous remains of last seasons leaves.<ref name=European/>

It has linear,<ref name=irisbotanique/> ensiform (sword-shaped),<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=flowerlib>Template:Cite web</ref> glaucous leaves<ref name=ussr/><ref name=Lynch/><ref name=weathers>John WeathersTemplate:Google books</ref> which are grey green,<ref name=efloras/> and are slightly tinged with purple at the base.<ref name=European/> They can grow up to between Template:Convert long,<ref name=Lynch/> and between 0.5 and 1 cm wide.<ref name=European/><ref name=alpine>Template:Cite web</ref> They are shorter than the flowering stem,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/> and fade soon after the blooming period time has ended.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=flowerlib/>

It has a slender erect stem,<ref name=ussr/> that can grow up to between Template:Convert tall.<ref name=stebbings>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=pacific>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=hillkeep>Template:Cite web</ref>

The stems also have 2 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are membranous, green and ventricose (swollen or inflated),<ref name=ussr/><ref name=Lynch/> They can be Template:Convert long.<ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/>

It has several short branches (or pedicels) near top of the plant.<ref name=ussr/><ref name=Lynch/>

The stems (and the branches) hold between 2 and 3 flowers,<ref name=bricknell/><ref name=galore>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=wyman>Donald WymanTemplate:Google books</ref> blooming in late spring and early summer,<ref name=European/><ref name=bricknell/><ref name=alpine/> between April and May,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=galore/><ref name=ClaireAustin>Template:Cite book</ref> or between May and June.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rainbow>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=gerbianska>Template:Cite web</ref> In the United States, it flowers in mid to southern states between early April to early May and it also flowers in mid to northern states between late April to early June.<ref>Allan M. Armitage Template:Google books</ref>

The flowers are Template:Convert in diameter.<ref name=European/><ref name=bricknell/><ref name=stebbings/> They are creamy white,<ref name=European/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=wyman/> ivory,<ref name=pacific/> yellow-white,<ref name=Lynch/> or olive green,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=handbook/><ref name=manual>Template:Cite web</ref> or light purple.<ref name=bricknell/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=pacific/> They are veined with purple,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=stebbings/> chocolate brown,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=galore/> brown-purple,<ref name=efloras/> or dark maroon.<ref name=European/><ref name=aril>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref>

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=ClaireAustin/> The falls are Template:Convert long, with a deflexed,<ref name=signa>Template:Cite web</ref> and oblong blade.<ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/><ref name=weathers/> They have a dark signal patch and beard.<ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/><ref name=handbook/> The beard can be as dark as black,<ref name=handbook/> or black-brown.<ref name=ussr/> The oblong and erect,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=signa/> standards are Template:Convert long, similar in colour to the falls.<ref name=European/> It has a sparse beard.<ref name=European/>

It has a 2.5–3 cm long perianth tube,<ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/> which is sub-cylindrical in shape.<ref name=ussr/> It has a brown, oblong and Template:Convert long style branch, which has scalloped lobes.<ref name=European/><ref name=ussr/><ref name=Lynch/> The style is smaller than the beard.<ref name=handbook/>

After the iris has flowered, in August,<ref name=efloras/> it produces an oblong seed capsule, which is Template:Convert long. It is narrowed to a point at one end.<ref name=Lynch/>

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 has been counted several times, 2n=22, by Mitra in 1956, 2n=22 by Zakharyeva & Makushenko in 1969, 2n=33 by Simonet, in 1928, 2n=44 by Simonet in 1928 and 2n=22 by Gustafsson & Wendelbo in 1975.<ref name=american/> All known forms in cultivation are generally counted as 2n=22,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/><ref name=gds>Template:Cite web</ref> or 2n=22, 33, 44.<ref name=pacific/> Iris stolonifera and Iris hoogiana (other Regalia series irises) are tetraploid, 2n = 4x11 = 44.<ref name=gds/>

Taxonomy

It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (korolkowii) kor-ol-KOV-ee-eye.<ref name=away>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is occasionally known as Iris korolkowi (with 1 i at the end).<ref name=handbook/><ref name=ipni>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is commonly known as the Redvein Iris.<ref name=galore/><ref name=wyman/><ref name=manual/>

It is known in Uzbek and parts of Russia as Iris Korol'kova.<ref name=ussr/><ref name=rainbow/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is known as stäppiris in Swedish.<ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref> Which translates as Steppe Iris.<ref name=gerbianska/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Latin specific epithet korolkowii refers to General N. J. Korolkow.<ref name=handbook/> In 1872, he found the iris in Turkestan, in the mountains near Tashkent.<ref name=ussr/> He then sent the specimens to St Petersburg.<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=hillkeep/><ref name=american/> In 1882, he also discovered Crocus korolkowii.<ref>Elizabeth Lawrence Template:Google books</ref>

It was first published and described by Regel in Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada Vol.2 page 432 in 1873.<ref name=ipni/><ref name=grin/> It is also noted that it was published in 'Enum. Pl. nov. Turest.' in 'Act. Hort. Petrop'. Vol. 2 page432 in 1873.<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=american/>

Regel reported that it was found in Turkmenia, this was incorrect, as Korolkov had never collected plants in Turkmenia, as the mountains were unpassable.<ref name=ussr/>

The iris was also published with an illustration in 'Gartenflora' table 766 in 1873,<ref name=European/><ref name=ussr/><ref name=Lynch/> and later by John Gilbert Baker in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 114 [series. 3, vol. 44]: table7025 in 1888.<ref name=Lynch/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Iris korolkowii was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 2 October 2014.<ref name=grin/>

It is an accepted name by the RHS.<ref name=rhs>Template:Cite web</ref>

Distribution and habitat

Iris korolkowii is native to temperate areas of central Asia.<ref name=aril/><ref name=grin/><ref name=rhs/>

Range

It is found in north east Afghanistan,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/> within the Badakhshan region.<ref name=checklist>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is also found in the former USSR republic,<ref name=European/><ref name=alpine/> of Turkestan.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=weathers/><ref name=wyman/><ref name=ClaireAustin/> Turkestan now forms part of Uzbekistan. The iris has been found in Tashkent Province in Uzbekistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is found within the Tien Shan,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (including the valleys and gorges of the Talas Alatau,<ref name=rainbow/>) Pamir and Altai mountain ranges.<ref name=European/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=hillkeep/><ref name=gerbianska/>

Habitat

It grows on the dry rocky slopes<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/> of mountains.<ref name=ussr/>

They can be found at an altitude of Template:Convert above sea level.<ref name=alpine/>

Cultivation

It is hardy to USDA Zone 5,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=galore/><ref name=wyman/> although could be possibly between Zone 6 to Zone 9.<ref name=signa/><ref name=away/> It is hardy to European Zone H4.<ref name=European/>

It prefers to grow in well drained soils,<ref name=signa/> such as gritty and sandy but stiff loamy soil (suggested by Sir Michael Foster),<ref name=Lynch/> but can tolerate all garden soil types.<ref name=away/>

It prefers positions in full sun,<ref name=efloras/> with at least 3 or more hours of direct sunlight every day.<ref name=away/>

It prefers average moisture needs during the growing period.<ref name=rainbow/><ref name=away/>

It needs a period of dryness and warmth during summer,<ref name=flowerlib/><ref name=manual/> between June and July.<ref name=Lynch/> If the plants are too long exposed to moisture, they are prone to viral diseases.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

It can be grown in garden borders,<ref name=stebbings/> especially at the front of a border.<ref name=away/>

But it is best grown in a bulb frame,<ref name=bricknell/><ref name=stebbings/> or in a hot sand bed.<ref name=gerbianska/> In northern regions (including Russia), the iris will suffer from insufficient sun and warmth and from an excess of moisture, which means the plant dies within 2 or 3 years.<ref name=flowerlib/>

It is rare in cultivation,<ref name=gerbianska/> and only found in specialised bulb nurseries.<ref name=signa/>

It is best planted (within the garden) in October in UK.<ref name=handbook/>

Propagation

It can be propagated by division or by seed growing.<ref name=efloras/>

Hybrids and Cultivars

Iris korolkowii has been crossed with Iris stolonifera,<ref name=European/> it produces very richly coloured hybrids, of which have conspicuous beards that are either dark brown or deep blue.<ref name=handbook/>

There are many collected forms.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=ClaireAustin/> including forms found near Bokhara.<ref name=wyman/>

The hybrids normally have two flowers per stem, (compared to the main form which has between 2 and 3 flowers).<ref name=Lynch/>

Sir Michael Foster published in the Gardeners' Chronicle 14 July, p36 in 1888, four varieties. 'Concolor',<ref name=Lynch/> which has bright lilac-purple flowers,<ref name=weathers/>'Leichtlini',<ref name=Lynch/> (or Leichtliniana,<ref name=american/>) which has creamy white flowers marked with a blackish purple blotch at the base of the falls,<ref name=weathers/> 'Venosa',<ref name=Lynch/> which has greyish lilac flowers distinctly veined with purple,<ref name=weathers/> and 'Violacea',<ref name=Lynch/> which has violet or puce coloured flowers with darker veins<ref name=weathers/> These were later re-classified as synonyms of Iris korolkowii.<ref name=plantlist/>

Other known cultivars include; 'Korolkowii Atropurpurea', 'Korolkowii Brown And Green', 'Korolkowii Incarnata', 'Korolkowii Pink' and 'Korolkowii Polyploid Form'.<ref name=american/>

Iris korolkowii 'Smidgen', was registered in 1933.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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. [lists as I. korolkowi Regel].
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 63.
• Rechinger, K. H., ed. 1963–. Flora iranica.

External links

• Has 7 flower images of Iris korolkowii
• Has many images of the flower in its habitat