Iris stolonifera

{{short description|Species of plant}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Iris stolonifera-IMG 6518.JPG

|genus = Iris

|display_parents = 2

|parent = Iris sect. Regelia

|species = stolonifera

|authority = Maxim.

|synonyms = {{Species list

|Iris leichtlinii | Regel

|synonym_ref = {{cite web |title=Iris stolonifera Maxim. {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:439135-1 |website=Plants of the World Online |access-date=5 August 2021 |language=en}}}}

}}

Iris stolonifera is a plant species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Iris, and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of Turkestan, between Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. It has red-skinned stolon roots and rhizomes, glaucous, long, blue-grey leaves, and bi-coloured flowers, in various shades from milky white, to blue, purple, pale lilac, lavender, and brown. It normally has blue to yellow beards on all the petals.

Description

It has a rhizome, that in the spring,{{cite web |first=William |last=Dykes |author-link=William Rickatson Dykes |title=Handbook of Garden Irises |year=2009 |url=http://www.beardlessiris.org/reviews/handbook%20of%20garden%20irises%20-%20dykes.pdf |publisher=beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises) |access-date=1 November 2014}} sends out thin,{{cite web |title=Iris stolonifera |url=http://www.hih-gruppen.se/iris/irisgalleri/arter/stolonifera_Spec.html |publisher=hih-gruppen.se |access-date=8 July 2015}} and long,{{cite web |title=Chapitre I (partie 8) Les Regelia |url=http://irisbotanique.over-blog.com/categorie-0.html&usg=ALkJrhh70LNmXSsW7XWSPOAq9g9rjg4IpQ |publisher=irisbotanique.over-blog.com |access-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213065219/http://irisbotanique.over-blog.com/categorie-0.html |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=dead }} (up to {{convert|20|cm|0|abbr=on}} long,British Iris Society (1997) {{Google books|pL6uPLo7l2gC|A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation|page=96-97}}{{cite web |first=Anna |last=Cadd |title=Little known facts about Iris stolonifera, Bay News, page 3 |date=Feb 2008 |url=http://www.montereybayiris.org/pdfs/2008/02-2008.pdf |publisher=montereybayiris.org (Newsletter of the Monterey Bay Iris Society) |access-date=8 July 2015}}) secondary roots (or stolons), which have a red skin. At the end of each stolon, it forms a new rhizome, creating widespread colonies of plants. Other 'Regelia section' irises also have stolons.{{cite web |first=Alain |last=Franco |title=(SPEC) Iris stolonifera Maxim. | date=16 March 2015 |url=http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecStolonifera |publisher=wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society)| access-date=23 May 2015}}

Also Iris japonica, Iris prismatica and Iris henryi produce stolons.

It has dark blue-green,James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) {{Google books|CkxWrDqtWLQC|The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) |page=259}} or glaucous leaves.{{cite web |first=Alexei |last=Yakovlev |title=Pobegonosy Iris |date=30 June 2013 |url=http://molbiol.ru/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t531095.html |publisher=molbiol.ru |access-date=26 May 2015}}{{cite web |title=Lat. Iris |url=http://www.agbina.com/site.xp/053051050124052052055.html |publisher=agbina.com |access-date=6 June 2015 |archive-date=14 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314065254/http://www.agbina.com/site.xp/053051050124052052055.html |url-status=dead }} They are sword-shaped,{{cite web |title=Regelia iris |url=http://flowerlib.ru/books/item/f00/s00/z0000035/st026.shtml |publisher=flowerlib.ru |access-date=5 June 2015}} and {{convert|30|-|60|cm|0|abbr=on}} long,{{cite web |title=Iris |date=13 February 2010 |url=http://rslandscapedesign.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/hollies-new-improved-re-edited-repost.html |publisher=rslandscapedesign.blogspot.co.uk |access-date=4 June 2015}} and 0.8 cm to 2 cm wide.{{cite web |title=Iris stolonifera |url=http://encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/Iris/stolonifera |publisher=alpinegardensociety.net |access-date=26 May 2015}} They are prominently veined, and semi-evergreen, disappearing after summer, after the blooming period is over.

It has a stem, that can grow up to between {{convert|30|-|60|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall,{{cite web |first=D. |last=Kramb |title=Iris stolonifera |date=15 April 2007 |url=http://www.signa.org/index.pl?Iris-stolonifera |publisher=signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America) |access-date=26 May 2015}}{{cite web |title=Iris stolonifera |url=http://cubits.org/irisforum/db/ouririsdatabase/view/88270/ |publisher=cubits.org |access-date=8 July 2015}}{{cite book |last=Stebbings |first=Geoff |year=1997|title=The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises |url=https://archive.org/details/gardenersguideto00steb |url-access=registration |location=Newton Abbot |publisher=David and Charles |page=[https://archive.org/details/gardenersguideto00steb/page/71 71] |isbn=978-0715305393 }} or {{convert|40|-|60|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall.

The stem has (scarious) membranous, spathes or bracts (leaves of the flower bud), which are {{convert|6.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} long.

The stems hold 2–3 terminal (top of stem) flowers,{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=George E.| last2=Linnegar | first2=Sidney | date=1987 |edition=Revised | title= Growing Irises |location=Bromley | publisher=Christopher Helm | page=124 | isbn=978-0-88192-089-5}} blooming in late spring, between April and June, or May, or between May and June.{{cite book |first=Claire |last=Austin |title=Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia |year=2005 |publisher=Timber Press |isbn=978-0881927306 }}Basak Gardner & Chris Gardner {{Google books|08KbBQAAQBAJ|Flora of the Silk Road: The Complete Illustrated Guide|page=201}}

The scented, flowers are {{convert|7|-|8|cm|0|abbr=on}} in diameter.

They are variable in colour, normally bi-coloured,{{cite journal |last=Simonet |first=Marc |last2=Werckmeister |first2=Peter |date=25 January 1965 |title=A Cytogenetic and Descriptive Study of the Trispecific Iris Hybrid 'Stolorine' Werckmeister |journal= Caryologia |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=291–303 |doi=10.1080/00087114.1965.10796173 |doi-access=free }} ranging from milky white, to blue, to purple, (or pale lilac, or lavender,) and brown.

They normally have a blue (or pale lilac,{{cite web |title=Iris stolonifera |url=http://www.rareplants.de/shop/uploads/Html/Iris-stolonifera_6879_2.htm |publisher=rareplants.de |access-date=26 May 2015}}) centre with a brown, or reddish-bronze, or yellow margin.

It has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'. The falls are {{convert|6|-|8|cm|0|abbr=on}} long, and {{convert|2.5|-|3.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide. The standards are {{convert|6.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} long, and {{convert|3|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide. Each petal has a beard. Which is also variable, normally blue, or yellow,{{cite web |title=Information panels: Aril irises |url=http://www.ibotky.cz/en/clanky/irises/48-information-panels-aril-irises.html |publisher=ibotky.cz |access-date=8 July 2015}} or between blue and yellow,{{cite web |title=Aril Irises |url=http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/ArilIrises |publisher=pacificbulbsociety.org |access-date=23 May 2015}}{{cite web |title=Iris summary |date=14 April 2014 |url=http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Iris/Iris_Summary.pdf |publisher=pacificbulbsociety.org |access-date=23 November 2014}} Also lilac, and cream beards have been found.

It has a brown, 2.5 cm long perianth tube, which is funnel shaped. It has 3 cm long styles, which are variable in colour. It has cream or blue coloured pollen.

After the iris has flowered, between May and July, it produces an oblong seed capsule, that is {{convert|6|-|8|cm|0|abbr=on}} long. It is slightly inflated, and tapers at both ends. Inside the capsule, are light brown seeds that have thick white aril (coatings).

=Genetics=

As most irises, this species is diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. It has a chromosome count: 2n=44.

Taxonomy

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It has the common names of 'Pamiriris'.{{GRIN | accessdate=26 May 2015}}{{cite web |title=Iris |url=http://www.botanicus.nu/bildarkiv/?c=iris&context=bild&p=737 |publisher=botanicus.nu |access-date=8 July 2015}}

It is known as 'Pobegonosy Iris' in Russia.

The Latin specific epithet stolonifera derives from its thin stolon-like roots. (See description for more details.)

It was first collected by Olga Fedtschenko in around 1870,{{cite journal|last1=Rix|first1=Martyn|title=855. Iris Stolonifera|last2=Strange|first2=Kit|journal=Curtis's Botanical Magazine|date=April 2017|volume= 34|issue= 1|pages=11–20|doi=10.1111/curt.12175}}

It was first published and described by Karl Maximovich in the 'Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg' Vol.26 on page 535 in 1880.{{cite book |title=Iridaceae Iris stolonifera Maxim. |url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=439135-1 |publisher=ipni.org (International Plant Names Index) |access-date=23 May 2015}} It was also published in 'Mélanges Biol. Bull. Phys.-Math. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg' (Diagn. pl. nov. asiat. or 'Diagnoses Plantarum Asiaticarum') Vol. 10 on page 731 in 1880.

It was also published with an illustration in Curtis's Botanical Magazine 7861 in 1902, and in Hort. Vol. 7 Issue 8 page 191 on 15 April 1929.

Iris stolonifera is an accepted name by the RHS,{{cite web|title=Iris stolonifera 'Zwanenburg' |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/40456/Iris-stolonifera-Zwanenburg/Details |publisher=www.rhs.org.uk| access-date=26 May 2015}} and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 2 October 2014.

Distribution and habitat

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Iris stolonifera is native to temperate areas of central Asia.

=Range=

It is found in the mountain ranges of the Pamir Alai (or Alay), (including the Gissar Range,{{cite web |title=Celestial Silk Road 5th–21st June 2016 |url=http://www.viranatura.com/Product_100001_Celestial-Silk-Road-5th-21st-June-2016 |publisher=viranatura.com |access-date=26 May 2015}} and Saravschan Range,{{cite journal |last=Zubek |first=Szymon |last2=Nobis |first2=Marcin |last3=Błaszkowski |first3=Janusz |last4=Mleczko |first4=Piotr |last5=Nowak |first5=Arkadiusz |date=June 2011 |title=Fungal root endophyte associations of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia |journal= Symbiosis |volume=54 |issue=3 |pages= 139–149 |doi=10.1007/s13199-011-0137-z |pmid=22207783 |pmc=3228954 }}).

which passes through the former Russian (or Soviet), country of Turkestan. (including near Bokhara,)

It is also found in Tajikistan, (from the city of Dushanbe, to Uzbekistan, (including near the city of Samarkand near the Baysun ridge, and in the 'Kitab Zapovednik' (Geoological) reserve in the Kashkadarya Province,Gustave Gintzburge {{Google books|fPzoQAsxGj4C|Rangelands of the Arid and Semi-arid Zones in Uzbekistan |page=334}}) and in Afghanistan.

=Habitat=

It grows on dry rock slopes, along dry creeks, and upland meadows.

One reference (Flora of S.S.S.R.) mentions wet meadows and stream sides, also mentioned by the British Iris Society Guide, but herbarium specimens do not support this habitat, also the other irises in the Regelia section are also mountainside irises.

They can be found at an altitude of {{convert|800|to|2400|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.

Cultivation

It is very cold hardy, to USDA Zone 5, or between Zone 5 to Zone 8. It is also hardy in Europe to Zone H3. In very cold areas, such as Russia, the plant may die out after 2 or 3 years.

It prefers to grow in well-drained soils, which are rich in humus.

It can tolerate soils with a ph level of 6.8.

It prefers positions in full sun.

It needs a dormant dry period (or drought) during the summer.

The plants are not tolerant of winds.

In non-hardy places, it is best grown in a bulb frame.

It can be also grown in rock garden.

The plants should be planted at a depth of 2 inches, in October.

It is thought to be one of the easiest 'Regelia' section irises to cultivate, as it is more adaptable and vigorous than others.

=Hybrids and cultivars=

Iris stolonifera has been crossed with Iris korolkowii to create different coloured hybrids that have dark brown or deep blue beards. It has been crossed with other irises but did not produce very suitable crosses.

There are several different cultivars, including 'Chocolate',{{cite web |title=Bloom Season 2014 |url=http://www.telp.com/irises/bloom2014.htm |publisher=telp.com |access-date=8 July 2015}} 'Decorated Blue Beard', 'Decorated Delight', 'Decorated Giant', 'George Barr', 'Here I Am', 'Leichtlini', 'Merlin's Magic', 'Network', 'Real Harmony', 'Red, White, And Blue', 'Conical', 'Turkish Dancer', 'Turkish Delight', 'Vaga', and 'Zwanenburg Beauty'.

'Zwanenburg Beauty' has blue (or blue white {{cite web |title=Iris hoogiana |url=http://www.hillkeep.ca/bulbs%20iris.htm#Irishoogiana |publisher=hillkeep.ca |access-date=5 June 2015}}) flowers that are edged in bronze and have bronze veins. It grows to a height of between {{convert|30|and|40|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall. It has lilac shading on the falls. The beard is bronze-red or cream-white.

References

{{Reflist|3}}

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).
  • Dykes, The Genus Iris, page 126, 1913
  • 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. 64.