Iris acutiloba

Template:Taxobox Iris acutiloba is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and Oncocyclus Section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of the Caucasus and found in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Dagestan and Iran. It is a dwarf species, with narrow, falcate or curved leaves, it has one flower in spring or early summer, that comes in shades from cream, creamy white, whitish, pale brown, light grey, to pale violet. It is heavily veined or streaked and pointed, with 2 dark spots and brown, purple, dark purple, or black short beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. There are two subspecies, Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata and Iris acutiloba subsp. longitepala.

Description

It has a small,<ref name=irisbotanique>Template:Cite web</ref> thick and compressed rhizomes,<ref name=Rainbow>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Komarov>Template:Cite web</ref> which have many branches,<ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) Template:Google books</ref> and gives the plant a creeping habit,<ref name=Lynch>Richard Lynch Template:Google books</ref> across the surface of the ground, while being heated by the sun.<ref name=irisbotanique/> The creeping habit creates clumps.<ref name=alpine>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=green>Template:Cite web</ref>

It has narrow,<ref name=irisbotanique/> slender, curved,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=European/> or falcate (sickle-shaped),<ref name=Rainbow/><ref name=Komarov/><ref name=green/> leaves, that are glaucous,<ref name=Rainbow/> grey green,<ref name=European/> or medium green.<ref name=green/> They can grow up to between Template:Convert long,<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=Lynch/> and between 0.2 and 0.6 cm wide.<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=European/><ref name=alpine/>

It is dwarf species,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=stebbings>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=pottertons>Template:Cite web</ref> and has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between Template:Convert tall.<ref name=handbook>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=rudolf>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref>

The stem has lanceolate,<ref name=Komarov/> slightly pinkish,<ref name=European/> or green,<ref name=Komarov/> and membranous, spathes (leaves of the flower bud),<ref name=Lynch/> they are Template:Convert long.<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/>

The stems hold 1,<ref name=green/> terminal,<ref name=Komarov/> (top of stem) flower, blooming in spring,<ref name=green/> or early summer,<ref name=European/> between March (in Russia),<ref name=Komarov/> April,<ref name=irisbotanique/> or May.<ref name=british/><ref name=handbook/><ref name=ClaireAustin/>Template:Rp The leaves begin to grow in the late autumn and stop in the summer.<ref name=calc/>

In his book 'Iris', Fritz Kohlein, wrote "the blossoms of this small plant render a sombre, bat-like effect."<ref name=aril>Template:Cite web</ref>

The flower is Template:Convert in diameter,<ref name=European/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=efloras>Template:Cite web</ref> come in shades from cream,<ref name=irisbotanique/> creamy white,<ref name=alpine/><ref name=handbook/><ref name=american/> whitish,<ref name=European/> pale brown,<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=Lynch/> light grey,<ref name=rare>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=agbina>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=cassidy>Template:Cite book</ref> to pale violet,<ref name=pacific/><ref name=ClaireAustin/>Template:Rp<ref name=signa>Template:Cite web</ref> They are streaked,<ref name=stebbings/> or heavily veined with brown,<ref name=Rainbow/><ref name=green/><ref name=stebbings/> brown black,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=rare/> grey,<ref name=European/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=cassidy/> purple,<ref name=british/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=pottertons/> or purple-brown,<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=american/>

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 reflexed,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=alpine/> pointed,<ref name=European/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=american/> or lanceolate,<ref name=british/><ref name=Komarov/><ref name=Lynch/> they can be up to Template:Convert long.<ref name=European/> They are generally marked with 2,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=cassidy/> large dark red-brown,<ref name=alpine/><ref name=american/> blackish,<ref name=European/><ref name=rare/> purple-violet,<ref name=Rainbow/> or dark purplish-brown spots,<ref name=Komarov/> or deep purple signal patch.<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=handbook/> One spot is in the centre and the other is at the apex.<ref name=british/><ref name=European/> In the middle of the falls, is a sparse,<ref name=European/> row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is brown,<ref name=british/><ref name=Komarov/><ref name=alpine/> purple,<ref name=European/> dark purple,<ref name=Lynch/> or black.<ref name=irisbotanique/> The acute,<ref name=british/><ref name=Komarov/><ref name=alpine/> pointed,<ref name=European/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=american/> standards are larger than the falls,<ref name=british/><ref name=Lynch/><ref name=alpine/> they can be up to Template:Convert long,<ref name=European/> and unspotted.<ref name=Komarov/>

In the wild, it is more variable in colour and flower form.<ref name=british/><ref name=agbina/>

It has greenish,<ref name=american/> style branch that is Template:Convert,<ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/> and has brown spots.<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=american/> It also has a cylindric ovary,<ref name=Komarov/> green filaments and anthers<ref name=american/> It has Template:Convert long,<ref name=European/><ref name=Lynch/> perianth tube, that is cylindric and green dotted with purple.<ref name=Komarov/>

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule, that contains large, white and yellow seeds.<ref name=Rainbow/>

Biochemistry

In 2015, a study was carried out on 8 species of iris found in Iran including Iris reticulata, Iris pseudocaucasica, Iris persica, Iris acutiloba and Iris meda. It found that the petals contain anthocyanins, (which are common floral pigments that form blue, purple and red colours). High concentration of Cartenoids have also been found in the iris flowers. Compared to 8 other irises in Iran, it had the highest highest accumulation of anthocyanin and cartenoids in the petals.<ref name=Evaluation>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 It was counted in 1928 by Delaunay, in 1932 by Simonet, in 1969 by Zakharyeva & Makushenko, in 1975 by Gustafsson & Wendelbo and in 1980 by Awishai & Zohary.<ref name=american/> It is normally published as 2n=20.<ref name=pacific/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=signa/>

Taxonomy

It is known in Russia as Ostrodolny Iris.<ref name=Rainbow/><ref name=agbina/><ref name=exhibition>Template:Cite web</ref> Meaning 'sharp-lobed iris'.<ref name=wildrussia>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Latin specific epithet acutiloba is derived from two Latin words 'acutus' meaning acute or narrow and 'loba' meaning lobes or lobed.<ref>D. Gledhill Template:Google books</ref> This is due to the narrow, pointed segments of the flower.<ref name=handbook/>

It was first published and described by Carl Anton von Meyer in Verz. Pfl. Casp. Meer. (sometimes known as Verz. Pfl, Cauc.<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=american/>) Vol.32 in Nov-Dec 1831.<ref name=ipni>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref>

It was also published in 'Gartenflora' Vol.13 page 323 in 1874,<ref name=Lynch/> (with a colour illustration) and in The Gardeners' Chronicle 3rd Series Vol.94 on page 451 on 16 December 1932.<ref name=american/>

It has 2 known subspecies,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=rudolf/><ref name=signa/> Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata and Iris acutiloba subsp. longitepala.<ref name=grin/> Due to the classification of the subspecies, some authors have renamed the species as Iris acutiloba subsp. acutiloba Mathew & Wendelbo.<ref name=british/><ref name=pottertons/><ref name=american/> Although many botanists in Russia and Turkey still classify Iris lineolata as a separate species.<ref name=american/>

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> and in the Catalogue of Life as Iris acutiloba subsp. acutiloba.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Iris acutiloba is an accepted name by the RHS and was listed in the current RHS Plant Finder.<ref name=rhs>Template:Cite web</ref>

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic and native to temperate regions of Asia,<ref name=grin/> and the Caucasus,<ref name=aril/> including Transcaucasia.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=cassidy/>

Range

It is an, found in the countries of Turkey,<ref name=ClaireAustin/>Template:Rp<ref name=rhs/> (the former USSR states,<ref name=European/>) of Armenia,<ref name=grin/> Azerbaijan,<ref name=calc>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=grin/><ref name=greentour>Template:Cite web</ref> Turkmenistan,<ref name=aril/><ref name=signa/><ref name=grin/> Dagestan (near the capital city of Makhachkala,<ref name=Rainbow/><ref name=agbina/> and Barham,<ref name=calc/>) and Iran.<ref name=European/><ref name=green/><ref name=Evaluation/> (or Persia,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=ipni/>)

Habitat

It grows in the mountains,<ref name=Lynch/><ref name=handbook/><ref name=american/> or dry hills,<ref name=Komarov/><ref name=calc/> on rocky steppes and rocky slopes,<ref name=alpine/><ref name=greentour/> or on sand.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=calc/>

They can be found at an altitude of Template:Convert above sea level.<ref name=alpine/> or below 200m (when situated on the sand dunes).<ref name=british/><ref name=rus/>

Conservation

It is listed as a rare species,<ref name=irisbotanique/> and is included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation as 'endangered'.<ref name=calc/><ref name=exhibition/>

It is at risk due to the flowers being picked for bouquets. In the past 10–12 years, it has severely declined in population numbers. In 1969-1972, it was found over a large area (between 4-5 hectares), but this has now declined to a few isolated individuals being found.<ref name=calc/>

In Dagestan, as part of the protected Dagestan Nature Reserve,<ref name=exhibition/> in Kizlyar Bay, there are two distinct sites; 'Kizliar' and 'Sarykum',<ref name=Price>Martin F. Price Template:Google books</ref> which have up to 279 species of rare plants.<ref name=wildrussia/> On the 'Sarykum', sand dunes,<ref name=exhibition/><ref name=rus>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Price/> it can be found with other rare plants such as Shishkin's groundsel (Senecio schischkinii), Karakugen milkvetch,<ref name=wildrussia/> astragalus karakugensis and colchicum laetum.<ref>Münir Öztürk, Khalid Rehman Hakeem, I. Faridah-Hanum and Recep Efe (Editor)Template:Google books</ref>

Cultivation

The species is hardy to European Zone H3,<ref name=European/> meaning hardy to Template:Convert to Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As they grow in the mountains, they are much more cold hardy than some of the Oncocyclus section irises native to Israel-Palestine.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=american/>

In Russia, it was tested for hardiness in various botanical gardens, it did not survive in Tbilisi, Baku, Frunze (or Bishkek),<ref name=exhibition/> Nalchik and Alma-Ata.<ref name=calc/> In the gardens of Moscow and St. Petersburg, it had unstable results.<ref name=calc/><ref name=exhibition/>

As Iris acutiloba and the subspecies 'lineolata' are dwarf,<ref name=stebbings/> they can be grown in a pot,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=stebbings/> with sharp drainage and careful watering, and kept (frost-free) in greenhouse or cold frame,<ref name=pottertons/> or alpine house.<ref name=american/>

They should be planted in sandy, well drained soils in full sun. They need protection from spring and autumn rains. If planted in pots, they are left to dry from September and in the spring, given fertilizer during the growing season. Some irises have lived for 3–5 years under this method.<ref name=Rainbow/>

In 1904, it was rarely in cultivation in the UK,<ref name=Lynch/> it is still fairly rare in cultivation in the west.<ref name=british/>

On 15 March 1900, a specimen was collected by Paul Sintenis near Baku, and then stored in the herbarium of Komarov Botanical Institute. Due to a mistake, it was labeled as Bailovo, but the actual correct name of the region near to the Danube is Brailovo.<ref name=Komarov/>

Propagation

Irises can generally be propagated by division,<ref name=rare/><ref name=exhibition/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or by seed growing, which can take up to 3–5 years or more to reach maturity.<ref name=calc/>

Hybrids and Cultivars

It has been used in various plant breeding programmes, including hybrid crosses; (with other regelia irises) 'Acutikor' and 'Tel Hashi', (with other Oncocyclus Section irises) 'Star Over Iran' and 'Zuvendicus'.

Cultivars which have Iris acutiloba as a grandparent include; 'Aril Sanctum', 'Darling Who Knows', 'Kazakhstan' and 'Rojen's Saga'.<ref name=american/>

Toxicity

File:Stamp of Azerbaijan 189.jpg

An illustration of the iris on a postage stamp of Azerbaijan

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>

Culture

In 1993, it was used as a postage stamp in Azerbaijan, with a series of other flowers, including Iris reticulata, Tulipa persica, Puschkinia scilloides Iris elegantissima and Tulipa florenskyii.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other sources

• Czerepanov, S. K. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR). 1995 (L USSR)
• Davis, P. H., ed. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. 1965-1988 (F Turk)
• Khassanov, F. O. & N. Rakhimova 2012. Taxonomic revision of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) for the flora of Central Asia (Stapfia) 97:177.
• Mathew, B. The Iris. 1981 (Iris) 43.
• Mathew, B. & M. Zarrei 2009. 654. Iris acutiloba subsp. longitepala Curtis's Bot. Mag. 26:253-259.
• Rechinger, K. H., ed. Flora iranica. 1963- (F Iran)