Iris humilis
Iris humilis | |
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File:Iris humilis (Sand-Schwertlilie) IMG 8456.JPG | |
Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Iridaceae |
Genus: | Iris |
Subgenus: | Iris subg. Iris |
Section: | Iris sect. Psammiris |
Species: | I. humilis
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Binomial name | |
Iris humilis | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Iris humilis is a plant species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, with 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.
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.[2] It has thick creeping rhizome,[3][4][5] which is branched,[4] and about 1 cm in diameter.[6] The rhizome has the remains of last seasons leaves on the top.[2] It has bluish-green,[2][4] gray-green,[7][8] or light glaucous green,[9][10] sword shaped or lanceolate,[3] basal leaves.[6][7] They can grow up to 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long,[8][9][10] and 0.2–0.7 cm wide,[9][11][12] They have incurving tips,[9][12] and they disappear in summer, after flowering.[10] It has a simple dwarf (or short stem),[13][14] that can grow up to between 5–25 cm (2–10 in) tall.[15][16][17] The stems have 2–3 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are lanceolate and are (scarious) membranous at the top of the leaf.[4][9] They have short,[4] 7.5mm long pedicels (flower stalks).[9] The stems hold between 1 and 3 flowers,[18][19][11] in late spring,[4][12][14] between April and June.[9][13][19] The flowers only last for a day,[19] but they sometimes repeat the display.[13] The vanilla scented,[19] flowers are 3–4 cm (1–2 in) in diameter,[10][12][19] come in shades of yellow,[17][19][20] including bright yellow.[9][16][18] The flower buds are normally green, that have a slight tinge of bronze.[9] 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'.[6][21] The falls are oblong shaped, and 35 mm (1 in) long and 1.2 cm wide.[9] They are veined brown or purple brown.[7][10][20] They have a central orange beard.[12][15][18] The shorter,[9][11] standards are 30 mm (1 in) long and 0.3 cm wide.[9] The standards are not erect and this gives the flower a flattish appearance.[11] It has a 1 cm long ovary and a 0.5 cm long, funnel shaped perianth tube.[9] It has styles that are shorter than the petals,[11] about 2.5 cm long, which have short narrow crests.[9] The anthers are cream with green-black edging and the pollen is greenish coloured.[9] After the iris has flowered, in August,[4] it produces an elliptical seed capsule,[2] which is about 3 cm long.[9] The capsules dehisce (split open), below the apex.[9] Inside the capsules, are wrinkled, light brown,[2] or brown,[4] pyriform (pear-shaped) seeds.[9] They have flat creamy-white aril (or appendage).[9]
Genetics
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[21] It is normally published as 2n=22.[10][11][17] 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.[15] This shows two separate entities.[15] Since Iris arenaria has a count of 2n=22,[22] this means that Iris flavissima is a synonym of Iris arenaria and 2n=27 or 2n=28 are the true counts of Iris humilis.
Taxonomy
It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (humilis) HEW-mil-is.[16] It has the common name of sand iris.[7][16][23] Although this name normally refers to Iris arenaria, which was formerly once thought to be a subspecies of Iris humilis, it is now a separate species in its own right.[22] Iris humilis is also known as low iris,[2][24] and yellow iris.[3][13][24] Note, that Iris pseudacorus is also commonly known as the 'yellow flag' or 'yellow iris' as well. It is known as Sand-Schwertlilie (meaning sand iris) in Germany.[25] The Latin specific epithet humilis refers to low growing or dwarfish.[8][26] 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.[23][27][28] Georgi described from specimen plants from near to Lake Baikal, (it was called originally Iris flavissima).[28] This is now classified as a synonym of Iris humilis.[1] It was also published by Karl H. Ugrinsky in 'Fedde's Report. Spec. Nov., Beihefte' Vol.14 in 1922.[15] In 1808, Bieberstein called a plant (from the Caucasus mountains) Iris humilis, in 'Fl. Taur.-Caucas' Vol.1 on page 33. It was later changed (due to Georgi's earlier publishing) and re-classified as a synonym of Iris pontica Zapal.[15] It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated 2 December 2004.[23] It is an accepted name by the RHS.[29]
Distribution and habitat
It is native to a wide distribution area, including temperate regions of Asia and Europe.[6][10][23]
Range
It is found in Europe,[19][20] within the countries of Austria,[9][10][11] Czechoslovakia,[10][11] Hungary,[10][11][18] and Romania.[10][11][23] However, some or most of these plants could be Iris arenaria, which also has a distribution area in central and eastern Europe. It is found within the Siberian region,[17][18][23] of the Russian Federation,[13][17][20] in the states of Buryatia, Chita, Irkutsk, Magadan, Primorye and Tuva.[23] It is also found in Kazakhstan (formerly part of Russia).[23] Within Asia, it found in China,[4][5][29] within the Chinese provinces, of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Nei Monggol, Ningxia and Xinjiang,[23] It is also found in Mongolia,[13][17][23] and Japan.[2][4][29] 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).[30]
Habitat
It grows in calcareous sandy and stony (or rocky) areas,[7][9] including (mountain and hill) slopes,[5][6] meadows,[5][6] steppes,[3][5] and on the edges of birch forests,[3][5] or pine forests,[2] and beside river banks.[3] They can be found at an altitude of 200–1,500 ft (61–457 m) above sea level.[9]
Conservation
The iris is rare in various regions,[5][7][11] especially in European Russia and Ukraine.[11] It is listed in the Red Book of Omsk and Tyumen regions (of Siberia).[2][4][5] Many populations of Iris humilis exist in protected reserves including, Azas, Baikal-Lensky, Baikal, Barguzinsky, Sokhondinsky and Ubsunur.[2][5]
Cultivation
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 1 and Zone 6.[11][16] It survives in Siberia, so is cold resistant.[2] It prefers to grow in well-drained soils,[8][18] it prefers soils containing sand.[7][19] It can tolerate mildly acidic or mildly alkaline soils (PH levels between 6.1 and 7.8),[16] including those with lime.[19] It can tolerate positions in full sun or partial shade.[16][19] It has average water needs during the growing season,[16] The leaves can be damaged by rust fungi.[4] It can be grown in rock gardens,[2][8] including rock screes,[18] but needs plenty of space.[9] It is rarely grown in the UK.[14] 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).[9] In 1812, it was grown in gardens near Moscow.[28] It was then tested at botanic gardens in St. Petersburg, Barnaul, Novosibirsk and Chita.[2]
Propagation
It can be propagated by division (of the rhizome), or by seed growing.[9][16] In the wild, some habitats generate poor seed and vegetative propagation.[4] The plant needs to be hand pollinated (in the UK) to create seed.[9] Seeds are collected from the dry pods/capsules, when the seeds are ripe.[16] Seeds need cold stratification, to germinate. They germinate very slowly. In the lab, seeds do not exceed a germination rate of 30%.[4] Seeds should be sown in trays, in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.[16] Germinated seedlings, can produce flowers in the second year of growth.[9]
Hybrids and cultivars
Iris humilis cultivars include; 'Borzeana', 'Dahurica', 'Flavissima', 'Flavissima Orientalis', 'Flavissima Phylospatha', 'Stolonifera' 'Transuralensis' and 'Umbrosa'.[15]
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.[16]
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.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Iris humilis Georgi is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 "Irises PSAMMIRIS". flower.onego.ru. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Yellow iris". online-spb.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Amel'chenko, VP. "Iris Low". green.tsu.ru. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Petrovna, Khaltanova Helena (2013). "Ontogenetic Structure Cenopopulations Iris Humilis Georgi Under Vitim Plateau And Eastern Sayan". Herald (4). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Lat. Iris". agbina.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "Iris humilis". greenmania.eu. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Iris humilis". hih-gruppen.se. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 9.20 9.21 9.22 9.23 9.24 9.25 9.26 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation at Google Books
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 "Chapter I (Part 6) Psammiris". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 Kramb, D. (21 September 2004). "Iris humilis". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Iris humilis". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Eberhart, Katie. "Yellow Iris". solsticelight.com. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p. 16. ISBN 978-0715305393.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Walker, Kenneth (23 January 2015). "(SPEC) Iris humilis Georgi". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 "Sand Iris". davesgarden.com. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-88192-089-5.
- ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 Elizabeth Lawrence, Nancy Sanders Goodwin and Allen Lacy A Rock Garden in the South, p. 216, at Google Books
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 "Arill Irises". pacificbulbsociety.org. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN 978-0881927306.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 "The genus Iris in Germany (Gregor Stolley)". offene-naturfuehrer.de. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 "Iris humilis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
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(help) - ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Yellow Iris". plantarium.ru. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "Sand Schwertlilie". slovnik.seznam.cz. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ↑ Smith, A.W.; Stearn, William T. (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). Cassell and Company (published 1963). p. 173. ISBN 978-0304937219.
- ↑ "Iridaceae Iris humilis Georgi". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Alekseeva, N.B. "Proceedings of Botanical Institute Komarov Academy of Sciences St Petersburg, The history of the introduction of wild species of Iris (Iridaceae) flora Russia" (PDF). binran.ru. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Iris humilis". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "Biodiversity of Altai-Sayan Ecoregion". bioaltai-sayan.ru. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
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
- File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to Iris humilis at Wikimedia Commons
- File:Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Iris humilis at Wikispecies
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- Iris (plant)
- Flora of Central Asia
- Flora of Eastern Europe
- Flora of China
- Flora of the Czech Republic
- Flora of Hungary
- Flora of Kazakhstan
- Flora of Mongolia
- Flora of Romania
- Flora of Russia
- Flora of Siberia
- Garden plants of Asia
- Plants described in 1775
- Medicinal plants of Asia