Iris palaestina

Iris palaestina (or sometimes Iris palestina) is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Asia, the Palestine region, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. It has long, narrow, strap-like leaves, and a short stem. The early blooming, fragrant flowers are greenish-grey/white or yellow-white.

Iris palaestina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Scorpiris
Section: Iris sect. Scorpiris
Species:
I. palaestina
Binomial name
Iris palaestina
Synonyms[1]
  • Juno palaestina (Baker) Klatt
  • Thelysia palaestina (Baker) Mattei
  • Xiphion palaestinum Baker

Description

Iris palestina has 1–1.5 in (25–38 mm) ovoid brown bulbs.[2][3]

Most specimens have up to six leaves,[4] which are 6 in (150 mm) tall at flowering time.[3] They are normally about 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) wide at the base of the plant.[5] The long, narrow, strap-like leaves have undulate edges[6] with a thin white margin.[2] They are normally shiny green in color,[7] but are glossy on the upper surface.[2]

It has a short stem which is about 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) high.[2]

It has fragrant flowers between January and February.[3] Generally, there are one to three flowers per stem. The flowers are greenish-grey/white,[8][9] but can be yellow-white as well. In southern Israel, some specimens have a slight blue tinge.[2]

The flowers have winged falls. It has a perianth tube around 8–18 cm (3.1–7.1 in) long.[7]

It has oblong capsules and seeds without arils.[2][5]

Iris palaestina near Jerusalem

Taxonomy

It is also known as the Palestine Iris,[2] and it is known in Hebrew as איריס ארץ-ישראלי.[4]

Iris palestina was first found in Mesopotamia, part of Syria, and it was first published in Flora Orientalis by Pierre Edmond Boissier in July 1882.[10]

It was originally thought to be a variety of Iris vartanii.[3] It is similar in form to the better known and more decorative Iris planifolia.[8]

Iris palaestina is an accepted name by the Royal Horticultural Society.[11] It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, and then updated on 1 December 2004.[12]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate Asia.[12]

Range

It comes from Turkey, Jordan,[12] Syria,[10] Lebanon,[12] (including Batha[2]) and Israel. It was found in Golan, Galilee, Mediterranean coast, northern valleys, Carmel, Samarian mountains, Samarian desert, Judean mountains, Sharon and Shefela.[4]

Habitat

It likes open stony soils (with sandstone material)[2] at low altitudes.[5] Normally it is found at coastal sites but is also common within olive groves.[8]

Cultivation

It is hardy to USDA Zone 4.[7]

The iris is not hardy and is generally a poor grower in the UK.[9] It is better grown in a pot under cover in a greenhouse or bulb frame. It should be potted in well-drained, fertile compost and have a summer rest from watering.[6]

It can be found and seen in Tel Aviv University Botanic Garden.[13]

Cultural uses

It has been used as a medicinal plant in the Middle East for urinary tract infections by boiling the leaves or the rhizomes in water, similar to the use of Iris pallida.[14]

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References
  1. "Juno palaestina". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  2. "Iris palaestina". www.flowersinisrael.com. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  3. Richard Lynch The Book of the Iris, p. 186-187, at Google Books
  4. "Iris palaestina". www.wildflowers.co.il. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  5. British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 255, at Google Books
  6. "Iris palestina". rareplants.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  7. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification, p. 260, at Google Books
  8. "Iris palaestina". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  9. Cassidy, G.E.; Linnegar, S. (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. pp. 145–146. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
  10. "Iris palaestina". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  11. "Iris palaestina". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  12. "Iris palaestina". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  13. "Iris palaestina". botanic.tau.ac.il. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  14. Ram J. Singh (Editor)Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement: Medicinal, p. 172, at Google Books

Other sources
  • Danin, A. (2004). Distribution Atlas of Plants in the Flora Palaestina Area: 404-410. Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
  • Feinbrun-Dothan, N. (1986). Flora Palaestina 4: 112-137. Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
  • Innes, C. (1985). The World of Iridaceae: 1-407. Holly Gare International Ltd., Ashington.
  • Post, G.E. (1933). Fl. Syria, Palestine & Sinai 2: 583-604. American Press, Beirut.

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