Iris scariosa

Template:Italic titleTemplate:Taxobox Iris scariosa is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountainsides of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has sword-like, or sickle shaped, blue green or grey-green leaves, a short flowering stem, 3 or 4 membranous or semi-transparent flower bud leaves, 2 violet, reddish violet, lilac, blue-purple, or blue flowers in late spring, with yellow or white beards. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and Iris glaucescens became a synonym of Iris scariosa, before being divided into two separate species again. Although some sources still call it the main species, despite a slight colour difference.

Description

It is similar in form to Iris pumila.<ref name=onego>Template:Cite web</ref>

It has a yellow-white,<ref name=flph>Template:Cite web</ref> thick, fleshy rhizome,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras>Template:Cite web</ref> that is between Template:Convert in diameter.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique>Template:Cite web</ref> Under the rhizome are secondary stolon-like roots.<ref name=irisbotanique/> On top of the rhizome, are the yellow-white,<ref name=flph/> fibrous remains of last seasons leaves.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR>Template:Cite web</ref> The creeping habit of the ground covering rhizomes,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR/> makes small tufts of plants.<ref name=telp>Template:Cite web</ref>

It has ensiform (sword-shaped),<ref name=flph/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=british>British Iris Society (1997) Template:Google books</ref> sub-lanceolate,<ref name=USSR/> or falcate (sickle-shaped),<ref name=onego/><ref name=efloras/> blue-grey,<ref name=onego/><ref name=handbook>Template:Cite web</ref> or grey-green leaves.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/> They can grow up to between Template:Convert long,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/> and between 1 and 1.8 cm wide.<ref name=flph/><ref name=british/> They are generally longer than the flowering stem.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=british/>

It has a flowering stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between Template:Convert tall.<ref name=british/><ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=signa>Template:Cite web</ref> It is normally Template:Convert tall.<ref name=onego/><ref name=USSR/><ref name=handbook/> The stems are leafless.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/>

The stem has 3 or 4,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR/> thin,<ref name=telp/> lanceolate,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR/> spathes (leaves of the flower bud), they are (scarious) membranous,<ref name=handbook/> and semi-transparent.<ref name=british/><ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) Template:Google books</ref> They are Template:Convert long,<ref name=onego/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=handbook/> and 1.5–2 cm wide.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/> They have a reddish purple,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/> or lilac margins.<ref name=USSR/>

It has a brown-purple,<ref name=handbook/> short perianth tube, which is about 1.5–4 cm long,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=handbook/> and slightly flared upward.<ref name=flph/><ref name=USSR/> It also has short pedicels (flower stalks).<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR/>

The stems hold 2,<ref name=british/><ref name=handbook/> terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming in mid to late spring,<ref name=onego/><ref name=European/> between April to May,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR/> or May,<ref name=british/> or May to June.<ref name=annals>Houlston and Stoneman (Publisher)Template:Google books</ref>

The unscented,<ref name=onego/> flowers are Template:Convert in diameter,<ref name=onego/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=European/> come in shades of violet,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=telp/><ref name=European/> reddish violet,<ref name=british/><ref name=handbook/><ref name=signa/> lilac,<ref name=USSR/> blue-purple,<ref name=onego/><ref name=flph/><ref name=irisbotanique/> or blue.<ref name=onego/><ref name=british/><ref name=annals/> Some sources also refer to rarely,<ref name=onego/> near white or yellow shaded flowers,<ref name=american/><ref name=signa/><ref name=European/> but these may, however only refer to Iris glaucescens.<ref name=british/>

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'.<ref name=ClaireAustin>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp The falls are oblong,<ref name=USSR/> or obovate shaped,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/> with a narrow claw (section near the stem).<ref name=flph/><ref name=USSR/> They are Template:Convert long and 1.5 cm wide.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=European/> In the centre of each of the falls is a yellow 'beard' of hairs,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/> but it can be sometime white on the blade (the wide part of the petal).<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=USSR/><ref name=handbook/> The erect, oblanceolate shaped standards, are Template:Convert long and 0.5 cm wide.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=European/>

It has 1.8 cm long stamens, 1.5 - 2.8 cm long ovary,<ref name=british/> that is fusiform (spindle shaped),<ref name=flph/> and a lavender or pale purple style branch, that is 3.5 cm long.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/>

After the iris has flowered, between mid to late summer,<ref name=onego/> or June to August,<ref name=efloras/> or June to July.<ref name=flph/> It produces an ovoid,<ref name=efloras/> or cylindrical spindle,<ref name=flph/> or oblong shaped seed capsule.<ref name=USSR/> Which is Template:Convert long and 2.5–3 cm in diameter.<ref name=flph/> It has 6 visible veins or ribs.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=USSR/> The loculicidal (having compartments) capsule,<ref name=flph/> holds dark brown, round or elongated seeds, that are 4-5,5mm long and 2–3 mm wide.<ref name=onego/>

Biochemistry

In 1961, a study was carried out on various iris species in Russia, it found the chromosomal count of Iris scariosa was 2n=24.<ref name=Karyotypes>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In 2012, a genetic study was carried out on Iris laevigata and its from several closely related iris species, including Iris ensata, Iris setosa, Iris halophila, Iris scariosa, Iris potaninii, Iris tenuifolia, Iris bloudowii, and Iris sanguinea.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.<ref name=ClaireAustin/>Template:Rp Iris scariosa has a chromosome count: 2n=24.<ref name=onego/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/> Although one source also mentions 2n=40.<ref name=signa/>

Taxonomy

File:Iris scariosa curtis botanical garden image.jpg

Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 112 (ser. 3, vol. 42) 6902 (1886) Drawn by Matilda Smith

It is written as 膜苞鸢尾 in Chinese script, and known as mo bao yuan wei in Pidgin.<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is commonly known as 'Film bud Iris' or 'Membrane bud Iris (in China).<ref name=flph/><ref name=zhiwutong>Template:Cite web</ref> It is also known as 'Iris leathery' in Russia.<ref name=onego/><ref name=zaglyanut>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=calc>Template:Cite web</ref> It was known in UK as the 'Scarious iris'.<ref name=annals/>

The Latin specific epithet scariosa refers to shrivelled, or thin dry organs.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This refers to the membranous bracts or spathes, under the flowers.

It was originally described from specimens collected from near to the Caspian Sea.<ref name=american/>

It was first described by Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link and then published by Karl Ludwig Willdenow (using Link's description of the plant), in 'Jahrbücher der Gewächskunde' (of Berlin and Leipzig, Jahrb. Gewächsk.) Vol.1 Issue3, page71 in 1820.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=american/> <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It was later published by Carl Ledebour in 'Fl Ross' Vol.4 page104 in 1853,<ref name=flph/> then in 'Gartenflora' Vol.27 page325 in 1878, with a colour illustration (labelled as Iris eulefeldi).<ref name=american/> then by Maxim in 'Bull Acad Sci St. Petersb' Vol.26 page534 in 1880 and by Boris Fedtschenko in 'Kom Fl URSS' Vol.4 page550 in 1935.<ref name=flph/>

An illustration of the iris by Matilda Smith was published in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 112 [ser. 3, vol. 42] no.6902 in 1886.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1979, Shevchenko (Iris L. in A.I. Galushko (edited) 'Flora Severnogo Kavkaza' Vol.3 page79, University of Rostov) divided Iris glaucescens and Iris scariosa into 2 separate species.<ref name=american/><ref name=pacific>Template:Cite web</ref> He thought that there was several morphological and ecological differences between the 2 species. But he did not publish these. Also he noted that the Iris scariosa distribution range was limited to west of the Caspian Sea.<ref name=british/> But this range classification is disputed by other authors, although most sources still split the two irises into separate species.

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

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life.<ref name=eol>Template:Cite web</ref>

Iris scariosa is not yet an accepted name by the RHS.

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate central Asia,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=telp/> and eastern Europe (meaning Russia).<ref name=grin/><ref name=calc/>

Range

It is found in Russia,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=annals/> (within Kalmykia,<ref name=calc/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bashkortostan and Siberia,<ref name=USSR/>),<ref name=grin/> Kazakhstan,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=Karyotypes/><ref name=greentours>Template:Cite web</ref> Mongolia,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=USSR/> and China (within the provinces of Xinjiang,<ref name=zhiwutong/>).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=grin/>

The distribution stretches from the Ural Mountains, (above the Caspian Sea,<ref name=handbook/> including along the Volta River,<ref name=signa/>) eastwards to the Tien Shan Mountains,<ref name=telp/><ref name=signa/><ref name=European/> and Altai Mountain range.<ref name=onego/><ref name=handbook/>

In Kazakhstan, it can be found on the Sugaty Plateau of the Ketmen Mountains with Tulipa iliensis.<ref name="greentours"/>

In China, it is found on the Tarbagatai Mountains and Maili mountains, with other plant species including; Fritillaria yuminensis, Paeonia hybrida Pall., Corydalis nobilis Pers., the cowslip Primula veris L. subsp. macrocalyx (Bunge), Glaucium squamigerum Kar. & Kir. and Chelidonium majus L. var grandiflorum Willd.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Habitat

It grows on the alkaline and dry,<ref name=calc/> sunny, open stony hillsides,<ref name=USSR/> beside ditches,<ref name=flph/><ref name=efloras/> and in desert-like steppes.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=calc/>

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

Conservation

It is listed as V (for vulnerable),<ref name=zaglyanut/><ref name=calc/> in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, (within the Stavropol and Rostov regions).<ref name=zaglyanut/>

One colony of plants is within the Astrakhan Nature Reserve.<ref name=zaglyanut/><ref name=calc/>

It is limited in habitat, due to intensive grazing of the land.<ref name=calc/>

Cultivation

It is hardy in Europe to Zone H2,<ref name=European/> meaning hardy to -15 to-20oC (5 to -4oF).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has been tested for hardiness in Russia, in the botanical gardens of Moscow, Stavrapole, and St. Petersburg. It was only cold resistant in Stavrapole.<ref name=onego/><ref name=zaglyanut/><ref name=calc/>

In 1946, it was first introduced to the Moscow Botanical Garden of Academy of Sciences, but showed unstable results, it did not bloom annually, or fruit and suffers in the winter.<ref name=zaglyanut/>

It prefers to grow in well drained soils in full sun.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

It does not like waterlogged soils, that can damage the rhizomes,<ref name=irisbotanique/> but has high drought and salt tolerance.<ref name=onego/> So could be used in p

It can be grown in rock gardens.<ref name=onego/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=zaglyanut/>

It is only collected and cultivated by iris specialists.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=telp/>

It is cultivated in the botanical gardens of Almaty, Barnaul, Dzhezkazgan, Karagandy, Kiev, Leningrad, Moscow, Omsk and Sverdlovsk.<ref name=calc/>

Propagation

Irises can generally be propagated by division,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or by seed growing.<ref name=calc/>

Hybrids and Cultivars

Due to its high drought and salt tolerance, it would be useful or interesting in plant breeding programmes.<ref name=onego/> As a diploid iris, it is unlikely to produce fertile offspring in crosses to other types of iris.<ref name=telp/> So it has not been used.<ref name=zaglyanut/>

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>David G Spoerke and Susan C. SmolinskeTemplate:Google books</ref>

Uses

In China, the rhizome of Iris scariosa has been used to treat swollen gums,<ref name=zhiwutong/> anti-inflammatory pains, also sore throat (or chronic pharyngitis,<ref name=zhiwutong/>) and hoarseness.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The rhizome was ground into a powder, then mixed with honey.<ref name=zhiwutong/>

Other sources

• 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 97:177.
• Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR.
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 34.
• Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.
• Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994–. Flora of China (English edition).

External links

• Has images of Iris ruthenica, Iris humilis and Iris scariosa from the Altai Mountains
• Has an image of clump of the iris in Kazakhstan
• Images of the iris in China