Iris spuria

Template:Redirect Template:Italic title Template:Taxobox Iris spuria is a species of the genus Iris, part of a subgenus series known as Limniris and in the Series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Europe, Asia and Africa. It has purple or lilac flowers, and slender, elongated leaves. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and hybridized for use in the garden. It has several subspecies; Iris spuria subsp. carthaliniae (Achv. & Mirzoeva) B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. demetrii (Achv. & Mirzoeva) B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. maritima (Dykes) P.Fourn. and Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica (Fomin) Takht. It used to have 3 other subspecies, which have now been re-classified as separate species; Iris spuria subsp. halophila (now Iris halophila), Iris spuria ssp. sogdiana (now Iris halophile subsp. sogdiana) and Iris spuria subsp. notha (now Iris notha). It has many common names including 'blue iris', 'Spurious Iris' and 'bastard iris'.

Description

It has a thin, slender rhizome,<ref name=agbina>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=handbook>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=botanycz>Template:Cite web</ref> that is about 2 cm in diameter,<ref name=isles>A. R. Clapham, T. G. Tutin and D. M. Moore Template:Google books</ref> fibrous and has a creeping habit.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=linnaeus>Template:Cite web</ref> Under the rhizome are wiry roots.<ref name=handbook/>

The creeping habit creates compact clumps of plants.<ref name=rsland>Template:Cite web</ref> <ref name=jardins>Template:Cite web</ref> They can reach over Template:Convert wide.<ref name=rsland/>

It has erect, slender, sword-shaped, acuminate (ending in a point), glaucous green to blue green basal leaves.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=botanycz/><ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=rsland/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=dykesonirises>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=british>British Iris Society (1997) Template:Google books</ref><ref name=hardy>William RobinsonTemplate:Google books</ref> They can grow up to between Template:Convert long and 5–12 mm wide.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=botanycz/><ref name=american/><ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=british/><ref name=xyridion>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=luw>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Europaea>Thomas Gaskell Tutin (editor)Template:Google books</ref><ref name=bezkart>Template:Cite web</ref> They are normally nearly as long as the flowering stem.<ref name=british/><ref name=xyridion/><ref name=bezkart/><ref name=cassidy>Template:Cite book</ref> After the plant has flowered and set seed, the leaves die in the late summer.<ref name=handbook/>

It has a strong, erect, round stem,<ref name=dykesonirises/> that can reach up to between Template:Convert long.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=botanycz/><ref name=american/><ref name=american/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=british/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=luw/><ref name=Europaea/><ref name=bezkart/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=pacific>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=herbs>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) Template:Google books</ref><ref name="European"/><ref name=flowerlib>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=perennials>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=Wyman>Donald Wyman Template:Google books</ref><ref name=Brick>Christopher Brickell (editor)Template:Google books</ref><ref name=signa>Template:Cite web</ref>

The stem has 1 or 2 lateral, upright branches,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=dykesonirises/><ref name=Brick/> or pedicels, which are about 2 cm long.<ref name=isles/>

The stem also has keeled, lanceolate, green, spathes (leaves of the flower bud) (or bracts).<ref name=american/><ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=dykesonirises/><ref name=british/> These are Template:Convert long,<ref name=Europaea/> and have a membranous tip.<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=american/><ref name=british/><ref name=Europaea/><ref name=bezkart/><ref name=European/><ref name=European/> The upper cauline (on stem) leaves are shorter than internodes.<ref name=british/><ref name=Europaea/>

The stems (and branches) hold 1-4 terminal (top of stem) flowers,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=botanycz/><ref name=american/><ref name=american/><ref name=dykesonirises/><ref name=british/><ref name=bezkart/><ref name=cassidy/> in summer,<ref name=rsland/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=European/><ref name=Brick/> between May and July.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=xyridion/><ref name=luw/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=Wyman/> They flower after Iris germanica and are similar in form to Iris x hollandica.<ref name=jardins/>

It has large,<ref name=hardy/> lightly scented,<ref name=jardins/> flowers that are up to Template:Convert in diameter,<ref name=rsland/><ref name=xyridion/><ref name=European/> and they come in shades of lilac,<ref name=american/><ref name=xyridion/><ref name=Europaea/> mauve-blue,<ref name=herbs/> violet-blue,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=botanycz/><ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=british/><ref name=European/> purple-blue,<ref name=rsland/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=luw/><ref name=Brick/> violet,<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=flowerlib/> or blue.<ref name=hardy/><ref name=cassidy/>

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 web</ref> The falls are broadly ovate, elliptic, or orbicular with a long claw (section leading to the stem).<ref name=agbina/><ref name=american/><ref name=british/><ref name=Europaea/><ref name=European/><ref name=perennials/> The fall is Template:Convert long,<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=Europaea/><ref name=European/> and 2.5 cm wide.<ref name=american/> They have purple or violet veining,<ref name=herbs/> and a central yellow or white stripe or signal area.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=botanycz/><ref name=american/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=british/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=xyridion/><ref name=luw/><ref name=Europaea/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=European/><ref name=Wyman/><ref name=signa/>

The standards are short, lanceolate or oblanceolate, erect wavy, and Template:Convert long and 8–20 mm wide.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=american/><ref name=british/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=Europaea/>

It has a 7–10 mm long perianth tube,<ref name=Europaea/> the ovary has a long tapering beak,<ref name=dykesonirises/> which can be up to 40mm long.<ref name=american/><ref name=Europaea/>

It has a narrow,<ref name=british/> violet Stigma (botany)#Style,<ref name=isles/> 2.5 cm long violet-lilac stigmas,<ref name=american/> 1.27 cm long anthers, which equal the filament length.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=american/>

After the iris has flowered, it produces an oblong-ovate, hexagonal, (2.5–4 cm long<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=Europaea/>) seed capsule in September.<ref name=agbina/><ref name=american/><ref name=xyridion/> It has a long beak-like appendage on the top,<ref name=agbina/><ref name=american/><ref name=xyridion/> and 6 visible, longitudinal groves.<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=Europaea/> Inside the capsule, are light brown, angular seeds,<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=xyridion/> with a loose membranous testa (surface).<ref name=Europaea/>

Biochemistry

In 2002, a study was carried out on Iris spuria rhizomes, it found seven iridalglycosides.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In 2007, a chemical analysis was carried out on Iris spuria rhizomes, several compounds were isolated 12a-dehydrorotenoid 1, 11-dihydroxy-9, 10-methylenedioxy-12a-dehydrorotenoid, together with a new isoflavonoid glycoside tectorigenin-7-O-beta-glucosyl-4'-O-beta-glucoside, with 4 other known compounds, tectorigenin, tectorigenin-7-O-beta-glucosyl (1 --> 6) glucoside, tectoridin (a tectorigenin-7-O-beta-glucoside) and tectorigenin-4'-O-beta-glucoside.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>John Buckingham and V. Ranjit N. Munasinghe Template:Google books</ref>

In 2012, five Iris species (Iris pseudacorus, Iris crocea, Iris spuria, Iris orientalis and Iris ensata) were studied, to measure the flavonoids and phenolics content with the rhizomes. Iris pseudacorus had the highest content and Iris crocea had the lowest content.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In May 2014, a study was carried out on the hepatoprotective activity of Iris spuria against paracetamol induced toxicity. <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In July 2014, eight Irises from the Limniris section (Iris crocea, Iris ensata, Iris orientalis, Iris pseudacorus, Iris setosa, Iris sibirica with its cultivars ´Supernatural´ and ´Whiskey White´, Iris spuria and Iris versicolor) were studied to find 12 chemical compounds (flavonoids, phenols, quinones, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides and proteins.<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/> It has been counted several times; 2n=22, Westergaraard, 1938; 2n=22, Lenz & Day, 1963; 2n=40, Banerji, 1970; 2n=40, Sharma & Sar., 1971; 2n=40, Roy et al., 1988.<ref name=american/> The chromosome count is normally stated as 2n=22.<ref name=british/><ref name=Europaea/> <ref name=pacific/><ref name=signa/><ref name=ibotky>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=stolley>Template:Cite web</ref>

Taxonomy

File:Iris spuria Sturm62.jpg

Iris spuria illustration in:
Jakob Sturm: "Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen" Stuttgart (1796)

File:Iris spuria (Curtis).jpg

Illustration from William Curtis's. The Botanical Magazine (V. 2), in 1790.

The Latin specific epithet spuria refers to 'spurious' meaning false.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=canadian>Template:Cite web</ref> Linnaeus thought that the plants were hybrids rather than a true species.<ref name=canadian/><ref name=stebbings>Template:Cite book</ref>

It is written as 假鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as Jia Yuan Wei in Pinyin Chinese.<ref name=chinese>Template:Cite book</ref>

In the Czech language, it is called Iris Iris žlutofialový.<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=bezkart/><ref name=ibotky/>

It is pronounced as 'EYE-ris SPUR-ee-uh'.<ref name=daves>Template:Cite web</ref>

Due to the wide distribution of the species, it has many different common names, including; 'Spurious Iris',<ref name=hardy/><ref name=Wyman/><ref>William Salisbury Template:Google books</ref><ref name=RHS>Template:Cite web</ref> 'false iris',<ref name=agbina/><ref name=chinese/> 'bastard iris',<ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=luw/><ref>John Simms Template:Google books</ref> 'blue iris' (in England),<ref name=linnaeus/><ref name=RHS/><ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=brc>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=sanssecret>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=iucn>Template:Cite web</ref> 'butterfly iris' (also in England),<ref name=rsland/><ref name=canadian/><ref name=grin/><ref name=sanssecret/> 'meadow marsh iris',<ref name=stolley/> 'iris steppe',<ref name=stolley/><ref name=Germanenglish>Template:Cite web</ref> 'iris des steppes' (in France),<ref name=grin/> 'Steppen-Schwertlilie' (in Germany),<ref name=grin/><ref name=Germanenglish/> and 'dansk iris' (in Sweden).<ref name=signa/><ref name=grin/> and 'salt iris' (also in Sweden).<ref name=grin/>

Another is 'seashore iris',<ref name=american/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=luw/><ref name=Wyman/><ref name=daves/><ref name=Germanenglish/><ref name=herbaceous>Allan M. ArmitageTemplate:Google books</ref> but this probably applies to Iris spuria subsp. maritima. Also 'salt iris',<ref name=grin/> and 'salt marsh iris',<ref name=sanssecret/> but this applies to Iris halophila (formerly a subspecies).

It was first described in 1753 by Linnaeus, who described it in the Species Plantarum Vol.1 as being a German species.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 4 November 1876, John Gilbert Baker described the Iris, in The Gardeners' Chronicle on page 583.<ref name=american/> An illustration of the iris was published in 1981, in Grey-Wilson and Mathew, Bulbs plate 28. It was then published in 1982, by P.J. Redoute, Liles and related flowers 183.<ref name=European/>

It has several subspecies; Iris spuria subsp. demetrii (Achv. & Mirzoeva) B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. demetrii (Achv. & Mirzoeva) B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. maritima (Dykes) P.Fourn. and Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica (Fomin) Takht. It used to have 3 other subspecies, which have now be re-classified as separate species; Iris spuria subsp. halophila (now Iris halophila), Iris spuria ssp. sogdiana (now Iris halophila var. sogdiana and Iris spuria subsp. notha (now Iris notha).<ref name=plantlist/><ref name=american/>

It has been grown and cultivated in Britain since 1573, It had naturalised in south Lincolnshire in 1836. Another colony was growing in Dorset, but in 1972 it was deliberately vandalised and damaged fatally.<ref name=brc/>

It was originally found on 10 July 1955 growing in Limhamm, Skane in Sweden. It was later published in Botanical Notices in 1958.<ref name=linnaeus/>

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 20 April 1998, then updated on 1 December 2004.<ref name=grin/>

As of March 2015, Iris spuria is a 'tentatively accepted name' by the RHS.<ref name=RHS/>

Distribution and habitat

Iris spuria is native temperate to a very wide area, from Africa, to temperate and tropical Asia and Europe.<ref name=brc/><ref name=sanssecret/><ref name=herbaceous/>

Range

It is found within Africa, in Algeria.<ref name=american/><ref name=grin/><ref name=iucn/> Within temperate Asia, it is found in the Western Asia regions of Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey.<ref name=stolley/><ref name=grin/><ref name=iucn/> In the Caucasus regions, it is in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ciscaucasia and Dagestan.<ref name=grin/><ref name=iucn/> and in the Russian, Siberian regions of Altay, Chelyabinsk, Gorno-Altay, Kurgan, Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tomsk.<ref name=grin/> In the Middle Asia regions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia.<ref name=grin/> It is also found in China, with the provinces of Gansu and Xinjiang.<ref name=grin/> Within tropical Asia, it is found in the Indian sub-continental regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Pakistan.<ref name=grin/>

Within Europe, it is found in the northern European regions of Denmark and Sweden.<ref name=ibotky/><ref name=grin/><ref name=iucn/> and in the middle European regions of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Hungary.<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=british/><ref name=xyridion/> Within eastern European it is found in the regions of Moldova, Bashkortostan, Ukraine,<ref name=Europaea/><ref name=grin/> and Serbia.<ref name=serbia>Template:Cite journal</ref> and in the southern European regions of Romania, France and Spain.<ref name=american/><ref name=Europaea/><ref name=ibotky/><ref name=grin/><ref name=iucn/>

It has been naturalized within New Zealand and the United Kingdom,<ref name=grin/> in Lincolnshire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Habitat

Iris spuria grows on seasonally damp grasslands,<ref name=iucn/> damp meadows (or pastures),<ref name=rsland/><ref name=herbs/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=iucn/> marshes,<ref name=rsland/><ref name=herbs/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=iucn/> alluvial plains,<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=iucn/> swamps,<ref name=iucn/> bogs,<ref name=iucn/> maquis,<ref name=iucn/> and salty flats.<ref name=iucn/>

It also grows in saline soils.<ref name=xyridion/><ref name=luw/><ref name=Europaea/>

It can be found naturalised in damp, grassy places, by ditches, on banks and on roadside verges.<ref name=brc/>

Conservation

The iris is generally listed as of 'Least Concern' on 26 April 2013 in most European countries. But it is listed as rare or endangered in some.

In Russia, the digging up of wild iris rhizomes is strictly prohibited.<ref name=flowerlib/>

In Sweden, it is rare and is only found on the coastal meadows in southern Sweden.<ref name=linnaeus/> On the island of Saltholm, the colony was diminishing, before being protected.<ref name=british/>

In Germany, it is rare and colonies are protected.<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=british/>

In Serbia, it is also rare,<ref name=serbia/> and within Hungary, colonies are also protected.<ref name=botanycz/>

In Czechoslovakia, it has mixed fortunes. In the region of Moravia, it is now regarded as extinct.<ref name=botanycz/><ref name=ibotky/> In the Slovak Republic, it is classified as a 'critically endangered' species, and listed in the Red Book, with the meadows to the north and east of Štúrovo, now protected.<ref name=ibotky/> It is currently found in about 10 locations in Podunajskej lowlands, near Komárno and Sturova Nitra.<ref name=botanycz/>

Cultivation

It is generally thought to be easy to grow.<ref name=jardins/><ref name=canadian/>

It is hardy to between USDA Zone 3 and Zone 9.<ref name=rsland/><ref name=Wyman/><ref name=canadian/><ref name=daves/><ref name=sanssecret/> It is also hardy to European Zone H2.<ref name=European/>

It is tolerant to most garden soils,<ref name=perennials/> it will grow on wet soils, saline soils, and saline marshes.<ref name=rsland/> It prefers well drained, humus rich soils.<ref name=rsland/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=hardy/><ref name=Brick/><ref name=canadian/> It is tolerant of acid soils,<ref name=daves/> but prefers neutral soils.

It prefers positions in full sun or partial shade.<ref name=rsland/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=daves/><ref name=sanssecret/> Although, shade reduces the flowering amount.<ref name=jardins/><ref name=canadian/>

They prefer hot and dry summers,<ref name=rsland/><ref name=herbaceous/> only requiring plenty of water during the spring.<ref name=daves/><ref name=herbaceous/>

Like most species in the Spuria series, they do not like root disturbance.<ref name=rsland/><ref name=jardins/><ref name=canadian/>

It is best planted from dormant rhizomes in autumn,<ref name=canadian/> and deeper in the soil than Iris germanica.<ref name=jardins/>

It can be used in borders or in beds for cut flower (for the house).<ref name=jardins/> They create large full clumps of plants.<ref name=herbaceous/>

Aphis newtoni Theobald can be found on Iris bloudowii, Iris latifolia, Iris spuria and Tigridia pavonia.<ref>Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Biology and Ecology June 2002 Template:Google books</ref> Also Dysaphis tulipae can be found on Iris spuria.<ref>R. L. Blackman, Victor F. Eastop Template:Google books</ref> The iris is also the host plant of Mononychus punctumalbum (Herbst, 1784, iris seed weevil - a weevil that feeds on the seeds of the iris). The weevil lays its eggs within seed capsule of the iris, later the larvae feeds on the seed and up to 2 other seeds, and then it pupates. Adult weevils emerge from the seed capsules, fly off for aestivation (summer dormancy) and hibernation within the soil.<ref name=Levent>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Propagation

It can be pollinated by bees.<ref name=canadian/>

It can also be propagated by division (of the rhizomes),<ref name=hardy/> or by seed growing.<ref name=daves/> Growing by seeds gives a more reliable results.<ref name=flowerlib/>

Hybrids and Cultivars

File:Iris spuria 'April's Birthday' 2197px.jpg

Cultivar 'April's Birthday'

Due to the wide range of species, (with various tolerances for heat, salt or cold resistance), they have been very useful to plant breeders.<ref name=flowerlib/> Many of the modern cultivars have been breed with larger flowers in a wider range of colours than wild species.<ref name=canadian/>

Known Iris spuria cultivars include; 'Adobe Sunset' (hybridized by McCown, 1976),<ref name=perennials/><ref name=daves/> 'AJ Balfour',<ref name=perennials/> 'Albulus',<ref name=american/> 'Archie Owen' (hybridized by Hager, 1970),<ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=daves/> 'Barbara's Kiss' (hybridized by McCown, 1981),<ref name=daves/> 'Belise' (hybridized by Simonet, 1964),<ref name=american/><ref name=daves/> 'Belissinado' (hybridized by Corlew, 1988),<ref name=daves/> 'Betty Cooper' (hybridized by McCown, 1981),<ref name=daves/> Iris 'Betty My Love' (hybridized by Wickenkamp, 1988),<ref name=daves/> Iris 'Blue Lassie' (hybridized by Niswonger, 1978),<ref name=daves/> 'Cambridge Blue',<ref name=perennials/> 'Cheroke Chief',<ref name=perennials/><ref name=ClaireAustin/> 'Clarke Cosgrove',<ref name=perennials/> 'Custom Design',<ref name=perennials/> 'Daenaensis',<ref name=american/> 'Danica',<ref name=american/> 'Dawn Candle',<ref name=perennials/> 'Georgian Delicacy',<ref name=american/> 'Halophila lutea',<ref name=american/> 'Imperial Bronze',<ref name=perennials/><ref name=ClaireAustin/> 'Media Lux',<ref name=perennials/> 'Norton Sunlight',<ref name=perennials/> 'Protege',<ref name=perennials/> 'Monspur', 'Premier',<ref name=perennials/><ref name=stebbings/> and 'Red Clover'.<ref name=perennials/>

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/>

Others 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).
• Allan, H. H. B. et al. 1961–. Flora of New Zealand.
• Davis, P. H., ed. 1965–1988. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. [= I. spuria subsp. musulmanica].
• Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen.
• Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening.
• Maire, R. C. J. E. et al. 1952–. Flore de l'Afrique du Nord.
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 116–119.
• Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan.
• Quézel, P. & S. Santa. 1962–1963. Nouvelle flore de l'Algerie.
• Rechinger, K. H., ed. 1963–. Flora iranica.
• Sell, P. & G. Murrell. 1996–. Flora of Great Britain and Ireland.
• Stace, Clive, 1995. New Flora of the British Isles.
• Walters, S. M. et al., eds. 1986–. European garden flora.

External links

• Spuria iris Society homepage
• Images of Iris spuria