Iris reticulata

The reticulata group of irises is characterised by a fibrous net surrounding the bulb. They are small plants to {{convert|15|cm}}, with tubular, sharply-pointed, ribbed leaves, and flowers of yellow, blue or purple with an orange blaze on the falls, appearing in early spring. They are hardy, but prefer a well-drained sunny position in soil which dries out in summer; they are therefore suitable for a rock or gravel garden.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1405332965|pages=1136}}

Iris reticulata has spherical to drop shaped bulbs,{{cite web|title=Iris hyrcana |url=http://encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/Iris/hyrcana |publisher=encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net |accessdate=18 July 2014}}that are coated with a solid brown fibrous network.{{cite web| title=Chapter III bulbous iris | url=https://irisbotanique.over-blog.com/article-chapitre-iii-iris-bulbeux-71708991.html |publisher=irisbotanique.over-blog.com | accessdate=21 March 2018}}

The leaves appear after flowering, it has {{convert|10|cm|abbr=on}} high stems.{{cite web|title=(SPEC) hyrcana| url=http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecHyrcana?id=1&filename=hyrcana-75k.jpg#igp1 |publisher=wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society)|accessdate=18 July 2014}}

In the Northern Hemisphere it blooms in the winter, between November and January,{{cite web|title=Reticulata Irises |date=11 May 2014|url=http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/ReticulataIrises| publisher=www.pacificbulbsociety.org | accessdate=14 July 2014}}{{cite web|title=IRIS HYRCANA|url=http://www.cgf.net/plantdetails.aspx?id=14204|publisher=cgf.net|accessdate=21 March 2018}} or sometimes in February. The flowers are around {{convert|2.5|-|3|cm|abbr=on}} wide. The flowers are much smaller than those of other irises.

Like other irises, it has two types of tepals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the "falls", and three inner, smaller petals known as the "standards".{{cite book |first=Claire |last=Austin |title=Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia |year=2005 |publisher=Timber Press |isbn=978-0-88192-730-6}}{{rp|17}} They come in shades of blue, from clear blue,{{cite web|title=Iris hyrcana|url=https://www.rareplants.co.uk/product/iris-hyrcana/|publisher=rareplants.co.uk|accessdate=21 March 2018}} to dark blue and purple. The falls have a bright yellow ridge, or orange mark.

Iris reticulata is native to temperate areas of western Asia from eastern Turkey to Iran,{{Cite web|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:439030-1|title = Iris reticulata M.Bieb. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science}} but cultivated widely in temperate regions.{{GRIN | accessdate=23 February 2018}}

Found in the Hyrcanian woods, along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Iran.

It is found growing in the mountains along the Caspian Sea.

It prefers to grow in sunny sites, on rocky soils that dry out completely in summer.

It is not very hardy, but it can withstand strong frosts of short duration. Although it is thought to be best grown in the UK and in America, within a bulb frame or alpine house, to keep the soils dry. It also needs a dry, summer dormancy of several months.

A specimen of Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, in South Wales, shown by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.{{cite web|date=15 Feb 2014 |title=Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, shown by Bob & Rannveig Wallis |url=https://twitter.com/JimMcGregorAGS/status/434691760917590016| publisher=twitter.com |accessdate=18 July 2014}}

The following cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

• 'George'{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/92316/Iris-George-(Reticulata)/Details | title = Iris 'George' | publisher = RHS | accessdate = 8 June 2020}} (purple)
• 'Katharine Hodgkin'{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/67722/Iris-Katharine-Hodgkin-(Reticulata)/Details | title = Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' | publisher = RHS | accessdate = 9 June 2020}} (pale blue)
• 'Pixie'{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/135395/Iris-Pixie-(Reticulata)/Details | title = Iris 'Pixie' | publisher = RHS | accessdate = 8 June 2020}} (deep blue)

There is a known variety called Iris reticulata var. bakeriana (also known as Iris bakeriana).

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.{{rp|18}}

It was counted as 2n=20,

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.David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske {{Google books|a7-f66fRfzQC|Toxicity of Houseplants|page=236}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Reflist}}

• Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR. [lists as I. hyrcana (Woronow)]
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 177

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1039415}}

reticulata

Category:Plants described in 1808