Iris suaveolens
{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Iris suaveolens 2.JPG
|genus = Iris
|display_parents = 2
|parent = Iris sect. Iris
|species = suaveolens
|synonyms = {{Species list
| Iris glockiana |O.Schwarz
| Iris mellita |Janka
| Iris rubromarginata |Baker
| Iris rubromarginata subsp. mellita |(Janka) K.Richt.
| Iris suaveolens f. aureoflava |Prodán
| Iris suaveolens f. flavobarbata |Prodán
|synonyms_ref = {{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut. is an accepted name |date= 23 March 2012 |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-322441 |publisher=theplantlist.org (The Plant List) |access-date=19 January 2016}}}}
}}
Iris suaveolens is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Eastern Europe, ranging from the Balkans to Turkey (in Asia Minor). It has short, sickle shaped or curved, blue-green or greyish green leaves, a slender simple stem, with 1 or 2 fragrant spring blooming, flowers, between yellow and purple, with white or yellow beards. It was once known as Iris mellita (especially in parts of Europe), until that was re-classified as a synonym of Iris suaveolens. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Description
Iris suaveolens is similar in form to Iris attica,Basak Gardner & Chris Gardner {{Google books|08KbBQAAQBAJ|Flora of the Silk Road: The Complete Illustrated Guide|page=17}} or Iris reichenbachii, Iris lutescens,{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/Iris/suaveolens |publisher=encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net |access-date=19 January 2016}}{{cite web |title=Chapter I Rhizomatous Iris (part 2) Pumilae |url=http://irisbotanique.over-blog.com/article-chapitre-i-les-iris-rhizomateux-partie-2-105950846.html |publisher=irisbotanique.over-blog.com |access-date=14 September 2015}} and Iris pumila.{{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}}
It has thickRichard Lynch {{Google books|grvYTul5CSUC|The Book of the Iris (1904)|page=129}} but small (around 1 – 2 cm long) rhizomes,Umberto Quattrocchi {{Google books|-37OBQAAQBAJ|CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific names, Synonyms and Etymology (2012)|page=2107}}{{cite web |title=Iris mellitus |url=http://www.perenni.it/piante-alpine/2406-iris-mellita.html |publisher=perenni.it |language=it |access-date=1 February 2015}} that are thick, but small,
It has evergreen, falcate (or sickle shaped),{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://www.brittanyperennials.uk/alpine-plants/2636-iris-suaveolens.html |publisher=brittanyperennials.uk |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-date=22 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322165410/http://www.brittanyperennials.uk/alpine-plants/2636-iris-suaveolens.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |first=D. |last=Kramb |title=Iris suaveolens |date=8 November 2003 |url=http://www.signa.org/index.pl?Iris-suaveolens |publisher=signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America) |access-date=19 January 2016}}{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://www.harperleyhallfarmnurseries.co.uk/Iris%20suaveolens |publisher=harperleyhallfarmnurseries.co.uk |access-date=19 January 2016}} or curved leaves.{{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/39 39] |isbn=978-0715305393 }}{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://www.craigiehallnursery.co.uk/ourshop/prod_2768861-Iris-suaveolens.html |publisher=craigiehallnursery.co.uk |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215233918/http://www.craigiehallnursery.co.uk/ourshop/prod_2768861-Iris-suaveolens.html |url-status=dead }} The short, blue green,{{cite web |title=Species Iris, Iris suaveolens |url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/159509 |publisher=davesgarden.com |access-date=19 January 2016}} or greyish, leaves can grow up to between {{convert|7|and|22|cm|0|abbr=on}} long,Thomas Gaskell Tutin (Editor) {{Google books|v11xjgWbUDcC|Flora Europaea Vol.5 (19)|page 90}} and between 0.4 and 1 cm wide.
One form of the species, known as 'rubromarginata', has red-violet, or reddish purple edging on the leaves.
It is a dwarf iris,{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Waters |title=A Hybridizer's Guide to Bearded Species |date=October 2010 |url=http://www.telp.com/irises/species.htm |publisher=telp.com |access-date=26 September 2015}}Kelly Norris {{Google books|6YwFZmzxgecC|A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts (2012)|page=137}} which has a slender, simple stem, or peduncle, that can grow up to between {{convert|8|and|15|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall.{{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}}{{cite web |first=Bob |last=Pries |title=(SPEC) Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut. |date=14 January 2016 |url=http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecSuaveolens |publisher=wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society)|access-date=19 January 2016}}{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens (Iris Melitta) |url=http://www.naturgarten-oase.de/ |language=de |access-date=1 February 2015}} The flowers (on the stems) are held above the foliage.
The stem has two green, lanceolate, spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are keeled, and {{convert|2.5|-|8|cm|0|abbr=on}} long. They remain green after the flowers have faded. The stem holds between 1 and 2,{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=George E.| last2=Linnegar | first2=Sidney | date=1987 |edition=Revised |title= Growing Irises |page=119 |location=Bromley | publisher=Christopher Helm | isbn=978-0-88192-089-5}} terminal (top of stem) flowers, in spring, blooming between late March and mid-April, or between March and May.
The fragrant, flowers are {{convert|4.5|-|5.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} in diameter, come in various shades between yellow and purple,{{cite web |title=Garden Bearded Irises |url=http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/GardenBeardedIrises |publisher=pacificbulbsociety.org |access-date=19 January 2016}} with yellow being the most common.{{cite web|title=Iris suaveolens yellow-flowered |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/9376/Iris-suaveolens-yellow-flowered/Details |publisher=rhs.org.uk |access-date=19 January 2016}} Other shades of flower colour include; yellow-green, white, cream, violet-blue,{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://www.rareplants.co.uk/product/iris-suaveolens-violacea/ |publisher=rareplants.co.uk |access-date=19 January 2016}} smoky brown, mahogany,{{cite book |first=Claire |last=Austin |title=Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia |year=2005 |publisher=Timber Press |isbn=978-0881927306 }}{{rp|186}} or purplish-brown. There can also be bi-coloured forms as well. The yellow forms can sometimes have spots, of brown-purple.
Like other irises, it has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as 'falls' and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as 'standards'.{{rp|17}} The obovate or cuneate falls, curl under themselves,{{rp|186}} and are flaring. They can be {{convert|3|-|5.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} long. In the middle of the falls, there is a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which is white, orange, or yellow, on the yellow forms, but normally bluish, or white tipped with blue. The upright standards, are shorter and wider than the falls.{{rp|186}} The perianth tube is the same length as the Stigma (botany)#Style branch, about {{convert|5|-|7.6|cm|0|abbr=on}} long.
=Biochemistry=
In 2011, a phytochemical study was carried out on Iris suaveolens rhizomes. It found over 13 different phenolic and flavonoid compounds, such as 'Quinones 3-hydroxyirisquinone', 'coniferaldehyde', 'cis-epoxyconiferyl' alcohol, 'acetovanillone', 'p-hydroxyacetophenone' (all phenolics), '7-b-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one' and 'b-sitosterol' (steroids).{{cite journal |last1=Kukula-Koch |first1=Wirginia |last2=Sieniawska |first2=Elwira |last3=Widelski |first3=Jarosław |last4=Urjin |first4=Otgonbataar |last5=Głowniak |first5=Paweł |last6=Skalicka-Woźniak |first6=Krystyna |date=2013 |title=Major secondary metabolites of Iris spp. |journal=Phytochemistry Reviews |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages= 51–80|doi=10.1007/s11101-013-9333-1 |s2cid=18313192 }} These extracts where then tested for antioxidant capacity and anticholinesterase activity.{{cite journal |last1=Hacıbekiroğlu |first1=Işıl |last2=Kolak |first2=Ufuk |date=April 2011 |title=Antioxidant and anticholinesterase constituents from the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Iris suaveolens |journal=Phytotherapy Research |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=522–529 |doi=10.1002/ptr.3299 |pmid=20830698 |s2cid=10383781 }}
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.{{rp|18}} The chromosome count is: 2n=24, which was found by Koca in 1985.
They were published by F. Koca, 'Karyological studies on Iris attica Boiss. et Heldr. and Iris suaveolens Boiss. et Reuter.' in Rev. Fac. Sci. Univ. (Istanbul), Ser. B, Sci. Nat. Vol.21 on pages 69–79.{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://ccdb.tau.ac.il/Angiosperms/Iridaceae/Iris/Iris%20suaveolens%20Boiss.%20&%20Reut./ |publisher=ccdb.tau.ac.il |access-date=2 February 2016}}
Taxonomy
File:Iris mellita 139-8515.jpg, London., vol. 139 (1913), Labelled as Iris mellita]]
The Latin specific epithet suaveolens means 'sweet scented',{{cite book |last=Stearn |first=William |year=1973 |edition=Revised |publication-date=1963 |title=A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names |location=London |publisher=Cassell |page=304 |isbn=978-0304937219 }} it is named for its sweet fragrance of its flowers.
The type locality is Kustendje in Bulgaria. It was first published and described In May 1854 (in Bulgarian,) by Boiss. and Reut.Diagn. pl. orient. series 1, Vol. 13, p. 15.{{GRIN | access-date=19 January 2016}}{{cite web |title=Iridaceae Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut. |url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=439139-1 |publisher=ipni.org (International Plant Names Index) |access-date=19 January 2016}} In 1894, as a homonym Iris suaveolens was published by N. Terracc.Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. series 2, Vol. 1, p. 182. {{efn|It has also been published in Pl. Eur Vol. 1 p. 254 in 1890, in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Vol. 36 p. 74 in 1934, and Prodan, Bull Fac. Agr. Cluj 8, 14 1939.}}
For many decades it was known to gardeners as Iris mellita, which was published by Janka in 1874,Magyar Tud. Akad. Értes. Vol. 12 p. 172.{{cite web |title=Iridaceae Iris mellita Janka |url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=438868-1 |publisher=ipni.org |access-date=2 February 2015}} The name is derived from the Latin mellitus, meaning delightful. In 1871, a herbarium specimen of Iris melitta was found in Bulgaria by Janka. It was later renamed Iris suaveolens.{{cite journal |title=Original material of Iris melitta Janka [family IRIDACEAE] |url=http://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.specimen.je00022413 |publisher=jstor.org |access-date=1 February 2015}} Probably after the 1980s after multiple chromosomal counts.
In Italy, the iris is known as Iris mellita with the synonym of Iris suaveolens.
It was thought that the iris resembles Iris pumila and grows in the Balkans instead of I. pumila.
Iris suaveolens was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 9 January 2003 and then updated on 14 September 2009. It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life,{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://eol.org/pages/5867019/overview |publisher=eol.org |access-date=19 January 2016}} and in the Catalogue of Life, it is listed as Iris mellita (with Iris suaveolens as a synonym).{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens |url=http://www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2011/details/species/id/8156594 |publisher=catalogueoflife.org |access-date=19 January 2016}} Iris suaveolens is an accepted name by the RHS.
=Range=
It is found in Europe, within the Balkan countries,{{cite journal |first=Pavol |last=Kaššák |date=2012 |title=Secondary Metabolites Of The {{as written|Cho|osen [sic]}} Genus Iris Species |journal=Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendel. Brun. |volume=32 |issue=8 |pages=269–280 |doi= 10.11118/actaun201260080269|doi-access=free }} of Bulgaria, Romania, former Yugoslavia, (Albania and Macedonia,{{rp|186}}) and Greece. It is also found in Turkey.
It was listed in Red book of Bulgaria as an endemic.Dea Baričevič (Editor) {{Google books|AB0t7-hFy-wC|Report of a Working Group on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: First Meeting 12–14 September 2002, Gozd Martuljek, Slovenia|page=30}}
=Habitat=
Conservation
It is found in a few places, but most of these are now protected under law, including in the Dobruja Plateau of Romania.{{cite web |title=Protected Species and Habitats in Dobrogea Plateau and the Danube Delta Threats And Possible Solutions |url=http://www.euronatur.org/fileadmin/docs/umweltpolitik/eu_conference_07/Presentations/Tutila.pdf |publisher=euronatur.org |access-date=2 February 2015}}
Cultivation
It can be cultivated in the same conditions as Iris pumila. It is hardy, to between USDA Zone 6 and Zone 10. In the UK, it is not hardy and needs protection of a frame or alpine house during the winter, or within a porch or conservatory (undamaged by the wind or the rain). In the US, it can grow in Vail, Colorado and Portland, Oregon. It prefers to grow in well drained, dry, rich soils.{{cite web |title=Iris suaveolens var. flavescens |url=http://www.jardinsdugue.eu/encyclopedie-des-plantes/?plante=iris-suaveolens-var-flavescens |publisher=jardinsdugue.eu |language=fr |access-date=2 February 2015}} It also can tolerate poor soils. That are neutral to alkaline, between pH level 6.1 and 7.8 . It prefers situations in full sun. or in partial shade. It should be watered regularly, but not overwatered, which could cause the rhizome to rot, in winter. It can be at risk from leaf spots, rot or botrytis, and could be attacked by thrips, sawfly, aphids, and slugs or snails. It can be grown in the rock garden, or alpine troughs. The iris should be planted on the soil surface in summer, just above the substrate. Normally, they are planted with a 30 cm spacing.
=Propagation=
Irises can generally be propagated by division,{{cite web |title=How to divide iris rhizomes |url=http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/propagating/how-to-divide-iris-rhizomes/169.html |publisher=gardenersworld.com |access-date=12 October 2015}} or by seed growing.
=Hybrids and cultivars=
The species has been used by dwarf iris breeders. Who have created such cultivars as 'Aureo-flava' 'Flavo-barbata' 'Glockiana' 'Jugoslavica' 'Mellita' 'Mellita Ayazaga' 'Mellita Dibiltas' 'Mellita Vandee' and 'Rubromarginata'.
It was also crossed with Iris 'Rhages' (Mead Riedel, 1934) to create 'Buddha Song' (Dunbar 1970). Other crosses include; 'Charlie Brown', 'First Call', 'Green Sprite', 'Karfunkel', 'Lavender Dawn', 'Melamoena', 'Mellite', 'Misty Plum', 'Mother Mella', 'Proper Lemon' and 'Rolling Tide'.
The parent plant is often ignored (by gardeners) in favour of the cultivars.
Toxicity
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), and if ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reactions.David G. Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske {{Google books|a7-f66fRfzQC|Toxicity of Houseplants|page=236}}
Uses
It can be used as an expectorant, diuretic and for the treatment of children dentition.
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Sources
- Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR).
- Davis, P. H., ed. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. 1965–1988.
- Dykes, W., The Genus Iris 1913, 239.
- Mathew, B. The Iris. 1981, 35–36.
- Özdemir, Canan; Akyol, Yurdanur; Alcitepe, Emine, Morphological and anatomical studies on Iris suaveolens Boiss Reuter. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 31(2), 2000, 426–430.
External links
- [http://yabanicicek.com/iris-suaveolens.php Has images (from Turkey) of both the yellow and purple forms]
- {{Commons category-inline|Iris suaveolens}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline|Iris suaveolens}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15572494}}
Category:Plants described in 1853
Category:Flora of North Macedonia
Category:Medicinal plants of Europe