Iris longipetala

Iris longipetala is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Longipetalae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from North America. It has dark green or bluish green, grass-like leaves, small stem and 3–8 flowers, that range from creamy-white, pale blue to lavender blue. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris longipetala
Image from Curtis's Botanical Magazine 88 in 1862
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. Longipetalae
Species:
I. longipetala
Binomial name
Iris longipetala
Synonyms[1]
  • Limniris longipetala (Herb.) Rodion.

Description

Iris longipetala has a rhizome (approx. 10–25 mm diam),[2] with small trailing branches (which are approx. 2–2.5 cm in diam.) and plenty of fleshy toots.[3] The spreading rhizomes give the appearance of a clump forming plant.[4] It can form dense colonies.[5]

It has a small stem, which reaches a height of between 30–60 cm (0.98–1.97 ft),[5] with a few branches (1 or 2)[2] and is about 3–6 cm in diameter.[3] The stem has 3 leaves along it, which overlap and wrap around the stem.[6]

The leaves can be either dark green or bluish green and they can be equal or just shorter than the flowering stems.[7][8][9] They start at the base of the plant, rising up with a grass-like form. They are generally, between 5-11mm wide.[2][3][10] They are briefly deciduous,[11] turning grey or yellow-brown when dying.[5] Before soon re-appearing, giving the plant an evergreen appearance.[4][8][9]

It can have between 3–8 flowers per stem, in spring,[8][2][10] (March–April),[3] or summer (in Europe).[7] The lilac-purple perianth tube is between 3–8 cm in length.[6][2] The flowers are large, measuring about 4–6 inches (10–15 centimetres) across,[12] but with narrow petals.[4][9]

The very lightly scented flowers,[12] come in a range of shades from creamy-white,[4][6][5] pale blue,[12] to lavender blue.[5][8][3] Each flower has a purple (lilac to dark purple) veining.[11][8][3] The falls often have a slight yellowish signal patch.[7][13][10] The flowers have 2-lobed stigmas.[2][3]

After flowering, it has a (oblong-ovoid shaped) seed capsule (measuring approx. 2 in. long) that is narrowed at each end.[5] The capsule has 6 ribs along it length. It is almost round in cross-section.[3] Inside are wrinkled dark brown globular seeds,[3] which are pyriform.[5]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[14] It has a chromosome count : 2n=86, 88,[13][2] (found by Simonet in 1932).[15]

Taxonomy

It has the common name of 'Long petaled Iris',[4][16][6] or 'Coast Iris'.[6][5]

It was published by William Herbert in 'Botany of Captain Beechey's Voyage' on page 395 in Feb–Mar 1840.[17]

It was later illustrated in Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1963.[7]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 6 June 2007.[18]

Iris longipetala is an accepted name by the RHS.[19]

Distribution and habitat

Iris longipetala is native to north America.[18]

Range

It is native to Western US, in the state of California,[7][13] around the San Francisco (Bay Area), in Mendocino County down to Monterey County.[4][8][3] It can be also found on the Twin Peaks hills, San Francisco.[10][20]

Habitat

It is spread over the coastal grasslands in moist open spaces.[4][8] It is also found in grazed pastures (due to its cattle resistance).[11]

At altitudes at less than 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level.[2]

Cultivation

It is hardy to USDA Zone 3,[7] which is not hardy below 10 degrees F.[11]

It can be planted in sun or part shade,[4] it tolerates full sun in coastal areas and a little shade inland with regular watering through the blooming period. It requires less water after the flowering period has ended.[11][8] It prefers soils with good drainage. It will survive a long period of summer dryness except in hot inland areas.[11] It is deer resistant,[8] and it also cattle resistant, due to the foliage being unpalatable.[11]

It can tolerate wet heavy soils including clay.[3][12]

It is suitable to be cultivated in garden borders, the fringes of shrubberies in soils with sandy loam.[21] It may also suitable for pond margins or bog gardens.[22]

Specimens can be found at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.[23]

Aulacorthum solani and Rhapalosiphonius staphyleae are two aphids that can be found on the plant.[24]

Propagation

It is better propagated by means of 'division' (the two fork method).[21]

Hybrids and cultivars

Iris longipetala hybridizes readily with Iris missouriensis.[3]

A known hybrid is Iris longipetala superba,[25] A known variant is Iris longipetala var. pelogonus.[26] But this could be a version of Iris missouriensis var. pelogonus which is a synonym of Iris missouriensis.

Toxicity

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.[27]

References
  1. "Iris longipetala Herb". theplantlist.org. 2012-03-23. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  2. "I. longipetala Herb. COAST IRIS". ucjeps.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  3. "FNA Vol. 26 Page 374, 389". efloras.org. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  4. "Iris longipetala". theodorepayne.org. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  5. Willis Linn Jepson A Manuel of the Flowering Plants of California, p. 253, at Google Books
  6. Linda H.Beidleman and Eugene N. Kozloff Plants of the San Francisco Bay Region : Mendocino to Monterey, p. 374, at Google Books
  7. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification, p. 254, at Google Books
  8. "Iris longipetala". calfloranursery.com. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  9. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 44. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
  10. "Iris longipetala". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  11. Nora Harlow, Kristin Jakob and Roger Raiche (Editors) Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: Gardening with California Monocots, p. 103, at Google Books
  12. "iris longipetala". laspilitas.com. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. Kramb, D. (25 September 2004). "Iris longipetala". signa.org. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  14. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.}
  15. "(SPEC) Iris longipetala Herb". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). 18 February 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. Marjorie G. Schmidt Growing California Native Plants, p. 311, at Google Books
  17. "Iridaceae Iris longipetala Herb". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  18. "Iris longipetala". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  19. "Iris longipetala". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  20. Greg Gaar and Ryder W. Miller San Francisco: A Natural History, p. 70, at Google Books
  21. William Robinson Hardy Flowers, p. 151, at Google Books
  22. P.Geisel and D. Seaver Aquatic Gardens, not Aquatic Pests: How to Practise Responsible Water Gardening at Google Books
  23. "Iris longipetala". data.rbge.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  24. R. L. Blackman, Victor F. Eastop Aphids on the World's Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs, p. 553, at Google Books
  25. "Miss Williamson Iris longipetala superba". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  26. "Iris longipetala var. pelogonus". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  27. David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books

Sources
  • FNA Editorial Committee. 1993–. Flora of North America.
  • Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California.
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 101–102.
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