Iris danfordiae

Iris danfordiae has a narrowly ovoid,[3] bulb,[4] with whitish netted coats.[5]

It has 2 leaves (per bulb),[5][6] 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall.[7] They are linear,[8] four-angled in cross section,[6][9] and gray-green,[8] or bluish green.[5] The leaves sometimes appear together with the flowers,[8] and sometimes after the flowers.[6]

It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 7–15 cm (3–6 in) tall.[6][7][8] They hold 1 flower each.[5][8]

It is one of the first reticulata irises to bloom,[10][11] even blooming through the snow.[12] In early spring,[4][7] between January,[7] and March.[9]

It has fragrant (scented of honey,[10]) flowers,[13] in shades of yellow.[14] From bright yellow,[10][15][16] deep yellow,[8] to orange.[9] The flowers are 3–6 cm (1–2 in) in diameter.[8]

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'.[17]^:17 The falls are spathulate (spoon shaped),[8] and spotted olive-green,[8][9] or green.[6][11][16] In the centre of the falls is a deep yellow or orange crest.[14][10] The standards are vert short,[8][14] in some cases just bristles.[6][16]

Later after flowering, it produces a seed capsule.[8]

It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (aphylla) dan-FORD-ee-ay (danfordiae).[15] It is commonly known as dwarf iris,[18] buttercup Iris,[15] or Danford's iris.[15][9][19]

This species was introduced from Cilicia,[20] Turkey in 1876, by Mrs C. G. Danford (an English plant hunter of the Asia minor regions).[16][21]

It was first published and described as Xiphion danfordiae Baker and described by John Gilbert Baker in J. Bot. Vol.14 n page 265 in 1876.[3] It was then reclassified and published as Iris danfordiae by Pierre Edmond Boissier in 'Fl. Orient.' Vol.5 on page 124 in July 1882.[1][20]

Iris danfordiae is an accepted name by the RHS,[22] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 23 January 1989, then updated on 2 December 2004.[2]

It is native to temperate Asia,[2] mainly Asia Minor.[9]

It is cold hardy,[14] to between USDA Zones 5 - 9.[18][9][15] It is sometimes deemed less reliably perennial than other bulbs.[11]

It prefers to grow in neutral to alkaline soils, which are high in potassium and phosphate. It prefers sandy and well drained soils both in summer and winter.[12] It prefers positions in full sun.[8][15]

It is suitable for a rock or gravel garden or front of border.[23]

During mild season the bulb and plant is susceptible to slug damage.[6]

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.[15][26]

• Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource on www.skud.info). 2012 (Kulturvaxtdatabas)
• Davis, P. H., ed. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. 1965-1988 (F Turk)
• Mathew, B. The Iris. 1981 (Iris) 173-174.

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