Iris attica

Iris attica, the Greek iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of the Balkans in Europe, within the countries of Greece, former Yugoslavia, Turkey and North Macedonia. It has sage green or grey-green leaves, that are sickle-shaped, a stout short stem and 2 variable flowers, in shades from yellow to purple. They have a white or blue beard. It is often called Iris pumila subsp attica, but is classified in most sources, as a separate species, although it is closely related to Iris pumila, as a possible parent plant. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris attica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Iris
Section: Iris sect. Iris
Species:
I. attica
Binomial name
Iris attica
Boiss. & Held. Boissier and Heldreich
Synonyms
  • Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Held.) Hayek,[1][2][3]
  • Iris ochridana (unknown),[2][4]

Description

It is similar in form to Iris suaveolens, that also appears with yellow or purple forms.[5] They are also have flowers in similar colours/shades to Iris pumila,[6][7] as well as the form of the iris,[8] but smaller.[1]

It has small rhizomes,[7] that spread out, to form clumps of plants.[9][10]

It has glaucous,[11] sage-green,[12] or green grey leaves.[7] They can grow up to between 4–8 cm (2–3 in) long,[7][9] and 4-7mm wide.[1] They are lanceolate with a sharp curvature,[1][11] or sickle shaped.[4][7][9]

It has a stout stem, that can grow up to between 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tall.[1][3][13] Although, very occasionally they can reach 15 cm tall.[14][15]

The stems hold 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming in spring,[1][16] or early summer,[13][15] between March,[17] April,[7][8] May,[9] or late as June.[3] The slender,[18]:184 flowers are 3.5–4.5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter,[1][4][12] come in various shades,[19] from yellow to purple.[4][10][20]:118 Including whitish,[1] pale yellow,[9][14] greenish yellow,[20]:118 lemon yellow,[12][15] mustard yellow,[2][3][4] to blue,[4] blue-purple,[2][3] violet-blue,[11] and mauve shades.[16] Like other irises, 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'.[18]:17 In the centre of the falls, is a beard.[7] Which can vary in colour, from white through to blue,[3][18]:184 or bright blue.[4][19] Some flowers are bi-coloured.[1][3][4] The yellow forms have a brown signal patch on the falls.[20]:69 The purple or violet forms have contrasting spots in violet or plum.[18]:184 The standards are upright.[11]

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule that has not been described yet.

Biochemistry

In 1956, Mitra conducted karyological studies on the samples of specimens that they collected, and stated that Iris pumila (2n = 32) was an amphidiploid of Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr. (2n = 16) and Iris pseudopumila Tineo. (2n = 16).[21]

In 1979, a karyotype analysis study was carried out on Iris attica, Iris mellita (a synonym of Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut.) and Iris reichenbachii. It found that Iris attica was 2n=16, both Iris mellita and Iris reichenbachii were 2n = 24.[22]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[18]:18 It has been counted several times; 2n=16 by Simonet, 2n=16 by Randolph in 1954 and 2n=16 Randolph and Mitra in 1956.[13] Then in 1979 by Love.[23] It has a published chromosome count of 2n=16.[4][7][24]

Taxonomy

It has the common name of 'Greek Iris'.[25]

The Latin specific epithet attica refers to Attica, the former name of Athens in Greece.[26][27]

It was first published and described by Edmond Boissier and Theodor von Heldreich in 'Diagnoses Plantarum Orientalium novarum.' (Diagn. Pl. Orient.) Vol.2 Issue 4, on page 91 in 1859.[28][29][30]

In 1862, it was published (as Iris attica) in 'Gartenflora' Vol.11 377. 1862 (with a colour illustratation), then in The Gardeners' Chronicle Vol.674 in 1865.[13]

In 1890, Iris pumila subsp. attica was then published by K.Richt. in 'Plantae Europeae' (Pl. Eur.) Vol.1 on page 253.[31] This re-classified the species as a subspecies of Iris pumila, as Iris pumila subsp. attica.[20]:118[32][33] But some botanists and sources disagreed with this re-classification, and still refer to the species as Iris attica.[1][11][34]

It was verified as Iris attica by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 27 December 2002, then updated on 1 December 2004.[28]

Iris attica is an accepted name by the RHS and listed in the RHS Plant Finder book.[25]

It is listed as Iris pumila ssp. attica in the Encyclopedia of Life.[35]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to south eastern Europe.[9][15][28]

Range

It is found in the Balkans,[7][9][12] within the countries of Greece,[6][13][28] (including Mount Egaleo,[11][36] Delphi,[10] Parnassos, Peloponnese,[11][37] and many other regions of Greece,[11]) former Yugoslavia,[18]:184[19][20]:118 Turkey,[1][5][7] and North Macedonia,[25] (including near Ohrid).[6]

In 2013, Iris variegata L. and Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt was found in Albania, during field trips in Prespa National Park and on Pashtriku Mountain in 2006, 2011 and then in 2012.[33]

Habitat

It grows on the well drained, sunny, rocky mountainsides.[4][7][11] On stony slopes, stony heaths and on rocky ground.[11] It has been found with Fritillaria fleischeriana found growing on areas of rocky limestone amongst scattered juniper trees.[5]

They can be found at an altitude of 400–2,100 m (1,300–6,900 ft) above sea level.[11]

Conservation

It status in the wild is currently unknown, but thought to be very common.[4]

Cultivation
The leaves of Iris attica growing with a species of crassula and Dianthus repens

It is hardy to between USDA Zone 3 and Zone 8,[14] or Zone 10.[4] It is hardy to Zone H2 in Europe (meaning −15 to −20 °C (5 to −4 °F).[38]).[1] It is thought to be not very hardy in the UK (due to the dampness in winter), so best grown an alpine house or bulb frame,[18]:184[24] or deep pot.[20]:118 It is prone to viral diseases, if left in water or overwatered.[7]

It prefers to be grown in well-drained soils,[12][14][15] (including gritty loam,[24]) with plenty of aeration.[8] Similar to a scree.[9] It can tolerate a ph level of between 6.1 and 6.5 (mildly acidic) – 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline).[14]

It prefers a position in full sun,[9] to partial shade.[14][15]

It has average water needs, during the growing months, but needs a period of summer dormancy (a period of dryness after the blooms have faded).[4][7]

It can be grown in a rock garden,[12] in crevices or between small stones, or in large troughs.[8]

Propagation

It can be propagated by division of the rhizomes or by seed growing. Collecting the seeds from the ripe and dry capsules (after the plant has bloom), they can be grown straight away, or stored.[14]

Hybrids and cultivars

In 1995, it was reported by (Whitehouse and Warburton), that Iris pumila (an allotetraploid) is a cross between Iris attica and Iris pseudopumila (another diploid iris).[8][34][39]

Several cultivars have been created from Iris attica including; 'Attica Parnes', 'Dr. Crenshaw', 'Herrick' and 'Sounion'.[13]

Iris attica crosses (with other irises) include; 'Cap Sounion', 'Chancelot', 'Goldenes Fuellhorn', 'Goldhaube', 'Mama Mia' and 'Nibelungehort'.'[13]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), can cause stomach pains and vomiting if mistakenly ingested. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.[14][40]

Culture

In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, the goddess Persephone and her companion nymphs (the Oceanids along with Artemis and Athena) were gathering flowers such as rose, crocus, violet, iris (also called 'agallis' or ἀγαλλίς (in Greek script),[41] lily, larkspur,[16] and hyacinth.[42] Flowers in a springtime meadow before she was abducted by the god Hades.[16]

It has been suggested that 'agallis' mentioned, was a dwarf iris, (in form to leaf and root shape described,[43]) and identified as Iris attica.[44][45]

References
  1. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) , p. 246, at Google Books
  2. "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  3. "Iris attica". alpine-plants.eu. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  4. Kramb, D. (15 July 2003). "Iris attica". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  5. Basak Gardner and Chris Gardner Flora of the Silk Road: The Complete Illustrated Guide, p. 17, at Google Books
  6. Blazek, Milan. "Low iris – Iris pumila". ibotky.cz. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  7. "Iris Rhizomatous Chapter 1 (Part 4) Pumilae". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  8. Kelly Norris A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts, p. 123, at Google Books
  9. "Iris attica". wrightmanalpines.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  10. Barnard, Kate. "AGS Greece Tour 2011, An Alpine Odyssey" (PDF). merlin-trust.org.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  11. "Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr. in Boiss. 1850". greekflora.gr. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  12. "Iris attica". dancingoaks.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  13. Laurin, Terry (8 October 2014). "(SPEC) Iris attica Boiss. & Held". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  14. "Species Iris, Iris pumila subsp. attica". davesgarden.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  15. "Iris attica". edrom-nurseries.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  16. "Flora 1, Plants of Greek Myth". theoi.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  17. Lawrence Durrell The Greek Islands (1977), p. 227, at Google Books
  18. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN 978-0881927306.
  19. "Garden Bearded Irises". pacificbulbsociety.org. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  20. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-0-88192-089-5.
  21. Koca, Fehmiye (2003). "Morpho-anatomical and karyological studies on Iris pumila (Iridaceae)". Bocconea. 16 (2): 625–639.
  22. Sauer, Wilhelm; Leep, Hans Jürgen (1979). "Karyologische Untersuchungen an anatolischen und südost-europäischen Zwergiris-Sippen: Iris attica, I. mellita und I. reichenbachii (Iridaceae)". Plant Systematics and Evolution (in German). 131 (1–2): 81–106. doi:10.1007/bf00984124. S2CID 474242.
  23. Löve, Áskell (November 1971). "IOPB Chromosome Number Reports XXXIV". Taxon. 20 (5): 785–797. doi:10.1002/j.1996-8175.1971.tb03208.x. JSTOR 1218605.
  24. British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation at Google Books
  25. "Iris attica". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  26. Smith, A.W.; Stearn, William T. (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). Cassell and Company (published 1963). p. 50. ISBN 978-0304937219.
  27. Sue Gordon (Editor) Horticulture - Plant Names Explained: Botanical Terms and Their Meaning, p. 31, at Google Books
  28. "Iris attica". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  29. "Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  30. Iridaceae Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr. ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  31. "Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  32. Bob Gibbons Greece (2003), p. 159, at Google Books
  33. Shuka, Lulezim; Xhulaj, Murat (June 2013). "Iris variegata L. and Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt, two new taxa for the flora of Albania". Buletin I Universitetit Shtetëror Të Tiranës. (BSHN). 15: 172–178. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  34. Moons, John (2014). "Canadian Iris Society, CIS newsletter, Winter 2014 Volume 58 Issue 1" (PDF). e-clipse.ca (Canadian Iris Society). p. 13. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  35. "Iris cuniculiformis". eol.org. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  36. Sarlis, George P. (3 December 1979). "The Flora of Mount Egaleo (Attica, Greece)" (PDF). Phyton (Austria). 20: 261–278. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  37. Cockcroft, Claire (1 April 2010). "Parnassos and The Peloponnese: Spring Wildflowers of Southern Greece" (PDF). agc-bc.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  38. "Plant Hardiness". theseedsite.co. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  39. Dan H. Meckenstock Breeding Red Irises (The Carotenoids) 2005 , p. 117, at Google Books
  40. David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books
  41. "ἀγαλλίς". lsj.translatum.gr. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  42. R. P. Winnington-Ingram Sophocles: An Interpretation (1980), p. 116, at Google Books
  43. Leonhard Schmitz (Editor) The Classical Museum: A Journal of Philology, and of Ancient History and literature, Volume 5 (1848), p. 60, at Google Books
  44. "Tag Archives: British Iris Society". wiebkerost.com. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  45. Umberto Quattrocchi CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific names, Synonyms and Etymology (2012, p. 128, at Google Books

Sources
  • Kohlein, Fritz. 1987. Iris
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 23–24.
  • Randolph, L. F. & J. Mitra. 1959. Karyotypes of Iris pumila and related species. Am. J. Bot. 46:93–102.
  • Rechinger, K. H. 1943, Flora Aegaea. (Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, math.-naturw.) 741
  • Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea. [= I. pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) Hayek].
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