Iris graminea

Iris graminea is a species in the genus Iris belonging to the subgenus Limniris, in particular the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, with purple or violet blue flowers almost hidden by narrow, grass-like leaves, and a plum scented fragrance. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It has several common names, including grass-leaved flag, grass leaved iris, plum iris and plum tart iris (due to its scent). This species naturally occurs in the southern half of Europe, from Spain and France in the West to Russia and the Caucasus in the East.

Iris graminea
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. Spuriae
Species:
I. graminea
Binomial name
Iris graminea
Synonyms[1]
  • Chamaeiris graminea (L.) Medik.
  • Xiphion gramineum (L.) Schrank, Flora 7(2 Beibl.): 17 (1824).
  • Limniris graminea (L.) Fuss, Fl. Transsilv.: 637 (1866).
  • Xyridion gramineum (L.) Klatt, Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 30: 500 (1872).
  • Iris compressa Moench, Methodus: 529 (1794), nom. Illeg.
  • Iris suavis Salisb., Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton: 44 (1796).
  • Iris sylvatica Balb. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 1: 476 (1817).
  • Iris adamii Willd. ex Link, Jahrb. Gewächsk. 1(3): 72 (1820).
  • Iris bayonnensis Gren. & Godr., Fl. France 3: 243 (1855).
  • Iris pseudocyperus Schur, Enum. Pl. Transsilv.: 657 (1866).
  • Iris pseudograminea Schur, Enum. Pl. Transsilv.: 928 (1866).
  • Iris lamprophylla Lange, Bot. Tidsskr. 13: 17 (1882).
  • Iris nikitensis Lange, Bot. Tidsskr. 13: 17 (1882).
  • Xiphion collinum N.Terracc.
  • Xiphion gramineum subsp. gramineum (L.) Schrank
  • Xiphion gramineum subsp. silvaticum (Balb.) Arcang.
Iris graminea – MHNT

Description

Iris graminea has slender, short, hard rhizomes.[2] The plant has narrow grass-like foliage.[3] and can grow up to between 30–100 cm (12–39 in) long and 0.5–1.5 cm wide.[4] They can have many branches creating dense tufts, clumps or tussocks of plants.[5]

The leaves can be shiny,[6] and bright green towards the top,[5][7][8] and pale grey-green (or blue green) near the bottom.[9] Some plants can have dark green leaves.[10][11] They have strongly, visible longitudinal veins.[12] The leaves are longer than the flowering stems.[13][14][15] After the plant has flowered, the foliage has the tendency to extend.[16] Later, the deciduous foliage dies back during the winter.[6]

Iris graminea has a flattened stem,[3] with distinct edges,[9] that grows up to between 10–60 cm (4–24 in) long.[17][18][19] The stems have 1–2 spathes (leaves of the flower bud),[20] which are unequal in size.[21] The lower is larger and rather leaf-like.[21] The stems hold 1–2 terminal (top of stem) flowers,[3][7][14] blooming between spring,[8] and summer,[22][4] between May and June.[23][24][13] The stems are normally, unbranched,[25] but (if they have a second flower), the pedicel, is up to 6 cm long.[9]

The large flowers are 6–8 cm (2–3 in) in diameter,[22][7][15] they are larger than Iris sintenisii flowers. They have a strong scent (or fragrance),[17] which can be variously described as similar to freesias,[26] or fruity,[22][4] or smell of ripe plums,[27][7][19] or apricots,[14] or greengages,[13][21] or between grapes and plum tarts.[24] The flowers come in a range of shades, from purple,[24][6][19] blue-violet,[22][27][13] purple violet,[16] violet crimson,[10] reddish purple,[7][19][28] violet,[17] lavender,[17] and blue.[29]

It has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals, known as the 'standards'.[7] The falls have a long haft or claw, (section closest to the stem) and a small rounded or oval blade.[3][27] They are 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long.[30] The centre of the blade has a pale yellow,[5][16] or white central area,[28] which is veined with violet,[27][7] purple,[25] or blue.[22][14] Some references describe a dark purple area with white veining.[29] The claw is sometimes winged, and tinged with green or brown,[15][18] or veined deep reddish-purple.[20] The erect, standards are purple blue,[27] or purple,[14][20] or red-violet,[18] They are 2–5 cm (1–2 in) long,[30] with green or brown shade at the base.[30] It has a long and arching, purple style branch,[20][18] (that is long as the haft),[27] and has a dark purple centre stripe.[27] They have a brown base.[15]

It has an ovary with double ridges, a 2 pointed stigma and pollen that is orange-red.[3] It also has a short perianth tube.[9] After the iris has flowered, it produces a 3–4 cm (1–2 in) long seed capsule,[29] which has a narrowed point.[10] Inside the capsule, are pear shaped seeds,[9][10] which are slightly compressed and flattened.[10]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. It has been counted several times including, 2n=34, Simonet 1932; 2n=34, Lenz 1963; 2n=34, Popova, M., & I. Cesmedziev, (1975 & 1976); 2n=34, Colasante & Sauer, 1993; 2n=28, 34, 36, Lovka, 1995 and 2n=34, Dobeš et al., 1997.[20] It is generally published as 2n=34.[18][19][31][32]

Taxonomy

It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (graminea) gram-IN-ee-a.[8][17]

It is known as Iris à feuilles de graminées or Iris de Bayonne in France,[33] and Giaggiolo susino in Italy.[34][35] It is known as kosaciec trawolistny in Polish, and Iris trávolistý in Czech and Slovak.[36] and it is known as zlakovidny iris in Russia,[37][28][38] and gräsiris in Swedish,(meaning grass iris).[39][40]

The Latin specific epithet graminea refers to grassy due to the grass-like leaves.[27][16][41] It has common names of Grass-Leaved Flag (in the US)[8][17] or Grass leaved Iris,[7][20][32] Plum Iris,[32][42] and Plum tart Iris,[4][6][15] or Plum scented Iris, (because of the scent).[24][27][19]

It was originally published and described by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum Vol.1 page39 on 1 May 1753.[31][40][43] It was later published by Ker-Gawler in Curtis's Botanical Magazine Vol.18 page681 in 1803.[20] Then by B. Fedtsch in Flora of SSSR Vol.4 page529 in 1935.[31] It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003 and then updated on 1 December 2004.[40] It is an accepted name by the RHS, and it gained the RHS's Award of Garden Merit.[24][7]

Distribution

It is native to temperate areas of Europe,[2][7][31] and Asia.[40]

It is widespread from Spain to Russia.[30][18][19] Within Asia, it is found in the Caucasus regions,[24] of Georgia,[40] and the Russian Federation,[5][16][18] (in Ciscaucasia and Dagestan).[40] Also in Turkey (in Asia Minor).[37][14][31] Within Europe, it is found in Austria,[40] Bulgaria,[2][40][44] the Czech Republic and Slovakia,[32][40] (in Moravia),[29] ex-Yugoslavia,[40] France,[32][40] Germany,[40] Hungary,[40] Italy,[40] Poland,[40] Romania,[2][40] Spain,[2][32][40] Switzerland,[40] and Ukraine,[11][32][40] (in Crimea,[2][19][28]). It may be naturalized in the Moravia region of the Czech Republic,[29] and in Germany.[25]

Habitat

It is found growing in scrubland,[5][37][32] in grass lands,[5][32] in meadows (or pastures),[39][36] in open woods,[25] and in rocky or gravelly soils of the mountains.[37]

Conservation

I. graminea is an 'endangered species' in the Czech Republic and Slovakia,[45] it is also listed as 'vulnerable' in Hungary.[29] Within Saxony (Germany), it is listed as rare.[32] I. graminea is thought to be extinct in Poland, but was formerly found near Cieszyn.[23] It has been listed in various Red Data Books.[23]

Cultivation
The flower of the iris graminea

I. graminea is hardy to between USDA Zones 3 to 9.[24][17][19] It is hardy to Europe Zone H2.[30] It can survive temperatures as low as −20 °C.[25] It is hardy in most places of the UK. During the winter, the foliage dies back, leaving the rhizome under the ground. In very cold climates, a mulch may help the plant survive colder temperatures.[6]

It can be grown in normal garden conditions.[3][26] They prefer neutral or slightly acidic,[24][17] (or lime-free),[14] well drained,[16][6] and fertile (or humus rich) soils.[22][15] They can tolerate dry soils,[8][15] or clay and heavy soils, but it prefers damp soils.[22][24][15] They prefer positions in full sun,[17][42] and can tolerate partial shade.[22][24][6] It requires adequate watering during growth,[16][17] such as a moist spring and then drier during the summer.[6] Mature plants can tolerate drought periods.[16]

It can be fertilized in early spring and after flowers have bloomed.[16] They can be grown in a front of a mixed border,[3][16][26] or rockery.[39][11][14] As well as being naturalized in the garden,[46] they can be also grown in containers, as long as they are well watered.[22] The flowers can be used in bouquets, so can also be grown in a cutting garden.[27][13] They do not like root disturbance,[16] similar to other spuria irises.

It suffers from no serious insect or disease problems. Crown rot is an infrequently occurring disease problem. It is susceptible to certain viruses,[16] such as bacterial leaf blight, soft rot, rhizome rot, leaf spot, rust, viruses and scorch.[8] It is also can be susceptible to damage by Iris borer, verbina bud moth, white flies, iris weevil, thrips, slugs, snails, aphids and nematodes.[8] It can also tolerate damage from deer.[16] Aphid Aphis newtoni can be found on the plant.[47]

The iris has been cultivated since at least 1568.[25][10] It was first grown in Cambridge Botanic Garden in 1733,[2][36] where it was labelled as narrow leafed plum scent iris.[2] For many years it was grown in St. Petersburg Botanical Garden,[10] and the botanical garden of Ufa.[12]

It is the most commonly grown Iris spuria species,[3][27] and can be easily found in plants nurseries,[25] though it is most commonly known in Europe.[24]

Propagation

It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing.[3][16][17] It rarely needs lifting and dividing. Large clumps of mature plants can be lifted between mid-summer to early autumn, then divided before being replanted.[3][8] As it does not like root disturbance,[16] so seed growing is preferred. If re-planted, they can take a year to 'settle' before beginning to bloom again.[25]

Seeds are collected from the pods after flowering.[17] Seeds are then sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn,[8][42] or between September to May. Seeds should be kept moist for about 2–4 weeks and also warm (at about 15–20 °C). Then temperatures between −4 °C and + 4 °C suspend for 4–6 weeks. These conditions are best reached at the autumn sowing outdoors. Seed trays should then be kept at temperatures of 5 °C to + 10 °C after the cooling period, for a few weeks. In the wild, these freezing and heat period) conditions take place naturally.[42] The plants need to grow and mature for about 2–3 years before they begin to flower.[16][42]

Hybrids and cultivars

Iris graminea has the following known varietie: 'Achtaroffii', 'Adami', 'Colchica', 'Graminea Lamprophylla', 'Graminea Sylvatica', 'Graminea latifolia', 'Gravenia', 'Hort's variety', and 'Pseudocyperus'.[20] The latter of these has ranges from the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia.[19] Pseudocyperus has broad leaves, but no scent.[4]

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References
  1. "Iris graminea L. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  2. British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation at Google Books
  3. Dykes, William. "Dykes on Iris" (PDF). beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises). Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  4. Stephen Lacey Scent In Your Garden, p. 79, at Google Books
  5. "Iris graminea". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  6. "Iris graminea". wildgingerfarm.com. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  7. "Iris graminea". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  8. "Iris graminea". thegardengeeks.com. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  9. "Lat. Iris". agbina.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  10. "Irises section Ksiridion or Spur-iris sredneroslye". flower.onego.ru. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  11. "Spuria iris". flowerlib.ru. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  12. "SCIENTIFIC REPORTS Samara Bend. – T. 16, № 3 (21). – S. 518–531. EN Mammoth * COLLECTION IRIS natural flora, Introdutciruemyh in the Botanical Garden Samara State University" (PDF). ssc.smr.ru. 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  13. Margery Fish An All the Year Garden, p. 62, at Google Books
  14. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-0-88192-089-5.
  15. Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p. 57. ISBN 978-0715305393.
  16. "Iris graminea". missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  17. "PlantFiles: Grass-leaved Flag, Fleur-de-lis, Sword Lily, Plum Scented Iris". davesgarden.com. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  18. "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  19. Kramb, D. (20 September 2004). "Iris graminea". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  20. Laurin, Terry (11 October 2014). "(SPEC) Iris graminea L." wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  21. Dykes, William (2009). "Handbook of Garden Irises" (PDF). beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises). Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  22. "Spuria Irises". herbs2000. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  23. "Iris fancy". atlas-roslin.pl. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  24. "Iris graminea (Plum Scented Iris)". plantdelights.com. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  25. "Chapter II iris clump and other (part3)". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  26. Benjamin Yoe Morrison Garden irises, p. 7, at Google Books
  27. "The Small Spurias". kcis.org. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  28. "Spurius Irises, History, Groups And Types, Cultivation And Maintenance". liveinternet.ru. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  29. Hoskovec, Ladislav (15 July 2007). "Iris graminea". botany.cz. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  30. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees and H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) , p. 348, at Google Books
  31. Andreĭ Aleksandrovich Fedoro (Editor) Flora of Russia, Volume 4, p. 440, at Google Books
  32. Stolley, Gregor. "The genus Iris in Germany (Gregor Stolley)". offene-naturfuehrer.de. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  33. "Iris graminea L., 1753". inpn.mnhn.fr. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  34. "Giaggiolo susino [ Iris graminea ]". sentierinatura.it. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  35. "Iridaceae Iris graminea L." luirig.altervista.org. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  36. "Bezkartáčkaté irises". zahradaweb.cz. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  37. "Subgenus Xyridion (Xyridion) – Wood-iris rhizome". flower-iris.ru. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  38. "Irises – Forum". tehnika.clan.su. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  39. "Iris graminea, grass iris". konnklubb.nordicshops.com. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  40. "Iris graminea". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  41. Smith, A.W.; Stearn, William T. (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). Cassell and Company (published 1963). p. 158. ISBN 978-0304937219.
  42. "Plum Iris, Iris graminea". syringa-pflanzen.de. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  43. Iridaceae Iris graminea L. 1. ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  44. Georgieva, S.; Koeva, K.; Kalachevaa, D. (15 April 2014). "Floristic Characteristics of Chirpanskata Gora Preserve". Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment. 24 (1): 186–199. doi:10.1080/13102818.2010.10817836.
  45. Grulich, Vít (2012). "Red List of vascular plants of the Czech Republic: 3rd edition" (PDF). Preslia. 84: 631–645. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  46. William Robinson The Wild Garden: Expanded Edition (2009), p. 267, at Google Books
  47. R. L. Blackman, Victor F. Eastop Aphids on the World's Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs, p. 553, at Google Books

Sources
  • Pignatti S. – Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III
  • 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).
  • Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR.
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 112.
  • Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea.
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