Iris longipetala
| Iris longipetala | |
|---|---|
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| Image from Curtis's Botanical Magazine 88 in 1862 | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Iris |
| Subgenus: | Iris subg. Limniris |
| Section: | Iris sect. Limniris |
| Series: | Iris ser. Longipetalae |
| Species: | I. longipetala
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| Binomial name | |
| Iris longipetala | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Iris longipetala is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Longipetalae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from North America. It has dark green or bluish green, grass-like leaves, small stem and 3–8 flowers, that range from creamy-white, pale blue to lavender blue. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Description[edit]
Iris longipetala has a rhizome (approx. 10–25 mm diam),[2] with small trailing branches (which are approx. 2–2.5 cm in diam.) and plenty of fleshy toots.[3] The spreading rhizomes give the appearance of a clump forming plant.[4] It can form dense colonies.[5]
It has a small stem, which reaches a height of between 30–60 cm (0.98–1.97 ft),[5] with a few branches (1 or 2)[2] and is about 3–6 cm in diameter.[3] The stem has 3 leaves along it, which overlap and wrap around the stem.[6]
The leaves can be either dark green or bluish green and they can be equal or just shorter than the flowering stems.[7][8][9] They start at the base of the plant, rising up with a grass-like form. They are generally, between 5-11mm wide.[2][3][10] They are briefly deciduous,[11] turning grey or yellow-brown when dying.[5] Before soon re-appearing, giving the plant an evergreen appearance.[4][8][9]
It can have between 3–8 flowers per stem, in spring,[8][2][10] (March–April),[3] or summer (in Europe).[7] The lilac-purple perianth tube is between 3–8 cm in length.[6][2] The flowers are large, measuring about 4–6 inches (10–15 centimetres) across,[12] but with narrow petals.[4][9]
The very lightly scented flowers,[12] come in a range of shades from creamy-white,[4][6][5] pale blue,[12] to lavender blue.[5][8][3] Each flower has a purple (lilac to dark purple) veining.[11][8][3] The falls often have a slight yellowish signal patch.[7][13][10] The flowers have 2-lobed stigmas.[2][3]
After flowering, it has a (oblong-ovoid shaped) seed capsule (measuring approx. 2 in. long) that is narrowed at each end.[5] The capsule has 6 ribs along it length. It is almost round in cross-section.[3] Inside are wrinkled dark brown globular seeds,[3] which are pyriform.[5]
Biochemistry[edit]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[14] It has a chromosome count : 2n=86, 88,[13][2] (found by Simonet in 1932).[15]
Taxonomy[edit]
It has the common name of 'Long petaled Iris',[4][16][6] or 'Coast Iris'.[6][5]
It was published by William Herbert in 'Botany of Captain Beechey's Voyage' on page 395 in Feb–Mar 1840.[17]
It was later illustrated in Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1963.[7]
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 6 June 2007.[18]
Iris longipetala is an accepted name by the RHS.[19]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Iris longipetala is native to North America.[18]
Range[edit]
It is native to Western US, in the state of California,[7][13] around the San Francisco (Bay Area), in Mendocino County down to Monterey County.[4][8][3] It can be also found on the Twin Peaks hills, San Francisco.[10][20]
Habitat[edit]
It is spread over the coastal grasslands in moist open spaces.[4][8] It is also found in grazed pastures (due to its cattle resistance).[11]
At altitudes at less than 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level.[2]
Cultivation[edit]
It is hardy to USDA Zone 3,[7] which is not hardy below 10 degrees F.[11]
It can be planted in sun or part shade,[4] it tolerates full sun in coastal areas and a little shade inland with regular watering through the blooming period. It requires less water after the flowering period has ended.[11][8] It prefers soils with good drainage. It will survive a long period of summer dryness except in hot inland areas.[11] It is deer resistant,[8] and it also cattle resistant, due to the foliage being unpalatable.[11]
It can tolerate wet heavy soils including clay.[3][12]
It is suitable to be cultivated in garden borders, the fringes of shrubberies in soils with sandy loam.[21] It may also suitable for pond margins or bog gardens.[22]
Specimens can be found at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.[23]
Aulacorthum solani and Rhapalosiphonius staphyleae are two aphids that can be found on the plant.[24]
Propagation[edit]
It is better propagated by means of 'division' (the two fork method).[21]
Hybrids and cultivars[edit]
Iris longipetala hybridizes readily with Iris missouriensis.[3]
A known hybrid is Iris longipetala superba,[25] A known variant is Iris longipetala var. pelogonus.[26] But this could be a version of Iris missouriensis var. pelogonus which is a synonym of Iris missouriensis.
Toxicity[edit]
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.[27]
References[edit]
- ^ "Iris longipetala Herb". theplantlist.org. 2012-03-23. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "I. longipetala Herb. COAST IRIS". ucjeps.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "FNA Vol. 26 Page 374, 389". efloras.org. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Iris longipetala". theodorepayne.org. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Willis Linn Jepson A Manuel of the Flowering Plants of California, p. 253, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d e Linda H.Beidleman and Eugene N. Kozloff Plants of the San Francisco Bay Region : Mendocino to Monterey, p. 374, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d e f James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification, p. 254, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Iris longipetala". calfloranursery.com. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 44. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
- ^ a b c d "Iris longipetala". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nora Harlow, Kristin Jakob and Roger Raiche (Editors) Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: Gardening with California Monocots, p. 103, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d "iris longipetala". laspilitas.com. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Kramb, D. (25 September 2004). "Iris longipetala". signa.org. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.
- ^ "(SPEC) Iris longipetala Herb". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). 18 February 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ Marjorie G. Schmidt Growing California Native Plants, p. 311, at Google Books
- ^ "Iridaceae Iris longipetala Herb". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Iris longipetala". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ "Iris longipetala". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Greg Gaar and Ryder W. Miller San Francisco: A Natural History, p. 70, at Google Books
- ^ a b William Robinson Hardy Flowers, p. 151, at Google Books
- ^ P.Geisel and D. Seaver Aquatic Gardens, not Aquatic Pests: How to Practise Responsible Water Gardening at Google Books
- ^ "Iris longipetala". data.rbge.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ R. L. Blackman, Victor F. Eastop Aphids on the World's Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs, p. 553, at Google Books
- ^ "Miss Williamson Iris longipetala superba". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ "Iris longipetala var. pelogonus". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books
Sources[edit]
- FNA Editorial Committee. 1993–. Flora of North America.
- Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California.
- Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 101–102.
External links[edit]
