Iris susiana
Iris susiana
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. Oncocyclus
Species:
I. susiana
Binomial name
Iris susiana
Synonyms[1]
  • Iris grandiflora Salisb.
  • Iris kasruwana Dinsm.
  • Iris livida Tratt.
  • Iris punctata Moench
  • Iris sofarana Foster
  • Iris sofarana f. franjieh Chaudhary, G.Kirkw. & C.Weymouth
  • Iris sofarana subsp. kasruwana (Dinsm.) Chaudhary, G.Kirkw. & C.Weymouth
  • Iris sofarana f. kasruwana (Dinsm.) Mouterde
  • Iris sofarana var. magnifica Siehe
  • Oncocyclus susianus (L.) K.Koch

Iris susiana, commonly known as the mourning iris,[2] is a species of perennial plant in the family Iridaceae. The mourning iris is native to the Middle East. It grows in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, although it is believed to be extinct in the wild. It is popular as a cut flower as the flowers can easily span 12 centimeters (5 inches). The survival of the species is seriously threatened by excessive picking.[3]

Description

Iris susiana has a short, compact, brown rhizome and long secondary roots that grow beneath the soil.[4] Stems can grow to 30–38 cm (12–15 in) tall.[5][6] The leaves can reach 25 cm long and 5-12 mm wide. The leaves are glaucous and slightly curved, and the spathes slightly dilate at the base.[2] It has one flower per stem, which blooms in May.[4] Like other irises, the flowers have two pairs of petals: three large sepals (outer petals, known as the 'falls') and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals, known as the 'standards').[7] External tepals are reflexed, ovate, approximately 7 cm long and 4 cm wide, and strongly spotted with purple on a bluish-white base.[6][8] Internal tepals are erect, with a color similar to or lighter than its external tepals. Veins are white or purplish. Branches of the plant's style (part of the stigma) are 2-3 cm long. It has short, rounded lobes and a denticulate margin.

Genetics

As with most irises, Iris susiana is diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. Its diploid cells have 20 chromosomes. Genetic variations give rise to phenotypic differences which can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[7][4][6][8]

Taxonomy

Iris susiana, Carl Linnaeus.

Iris susiana has the common name of mourning iris.[2] Other common names include 'chalcedonian iris',[5][9][10] 'great-flowered iris', 'great spotted iris', and 'mourning widow'.[11][12]

Iris susiana has been cultivated since 7000 BCE.[5] It was taken from Turkey and introduced to gardens in Vienna in 1573.[13] The botanist Carl Linnaeus discovered it in Persia, and then published and described it in his book Species Plantarum in 1753.[1][14][15] The name Iris susiana is a reference to these Persian roots: in classical literature, the Persian civilization of Elam was also known as Susiana, a name derived from its capital Susa.[16]

One of the synonyms of the iris, I. sofarana, owes its name to the summer resort Sofar, where it was collected by Hartmann in 1899. It was then described by Sir Michael Foster,[17] in Gardeners' Chronicle ser. 3, vol.26: on page 389.[18]

It was verified as Iris susiana by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003.[15]

Distribution and habitat

Iris susiana is prevalent in Lebanon, Turkey and Syria.[8][6][15] It grows in mountainous terrain, typically on eastern slopes in rocky areas.[8][6]

Cultivation

Irises can generally be propagated by division.[2][19] Iris susiana can be grown in sunny nooks within a rock garden, on sheltered banks or in borders. It needs light, warmth and well-drained soil.[2]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant (including the rhizome and leaves) are poisonous. If ingested, it can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction in some individuals.[20]

Culture

The Taj Mahal in India has images of Iris susiana carved from stone.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Iris susiana L." www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 William Robinson Hardy Flowers, p. 153, at Google Books
  3. ↑ Mustapha Nehmeh, Wild Flowers Of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research,1978,pages 155,156.
  4. 1 2 3 "chapitre I (partie 5) Les Oncocyclus II". dictionaire des iridacée (in French). irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. pp. 7. ISBN 0715305395.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Kramb, D. (2 October 2004). "Iris susiana". www.signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  9. ↑ Philip McMillan Browse Heligan: Fruit, Flowers and Herbs (2005), p. 176, at Google Books
  10. ↑ Country Life (magazine) Country Life Illustrated, Volume 9, 1 June 1901, p. 686, at Google Books
  11. ↑ Margery Fish An all the Year Garden (1966), p. 49, at Google Books
  12. ↑ Christopher Brickell RHS Encyclopedia Of Plants and Flowers (5th Ed. 2010), p. 613, at Google Books
  13. ↑ Wilson, Carol A.; Padiernos, Justin; Sapir, Yuval (February 2016). "The royal irises (Iris subg. Iris sect. Oncocyclus): Plastid and low-copy nuclear data contribute to an understanding of their phylogenetic relationships". Taxon. 65 (1): 35–46. doi:10.12705/651.3. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Iris susiana". www.ipni.org. International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 "Iris susiana L. GRIN-Global". npgsweb.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  16. ↑ Rev. John Brown A Dictionary of the Holy Bible (1769), p. 621, at Google Books
  17. ↑ "Iris Sofarana, endemic Lebanese flower – LebanonUntravelled.com". Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "Iris sofarana | International Plant Names Index". www.ipni.org. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  20. ↑ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants , p. 236, at Google Books

Other sources

  • Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource) www.skud.info
  • Georges Tohme& Henriette Tohme, Illustrated Flora of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research, Second Edition 2014.
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 59.
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