Iris taochia

It is similar in form to a dwarf form of an Iris aphylla.[2][3]

It has partially exposed rhizomes,[4] that branches to form a dense clump.[5][6][7] It has falcate (sickle-shaped), grey-green leaves,[8] deciduous, simple, sheathing leaves.[4][9] They can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long,[10] and between 1.5 and 2.5 cm wide.[4][5][7] The leaves are a similar height to the flowering stems,[7][10] but broader than those of Iris schachtii.[8] It has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between 15–35 cm (6–14 in) tall,[7][8][11] with 1–3 branches,[5] (or pedicels). The stem (and branches) have inflated, green, spathes (or leaves of the flower bud).[8] The stems (and the branches) hold 2 and rarely 5 flowers,[12] in spring,[4][13] between April,[4][6] or between May and June.[5] The large,[3] flowers are 5–7 cm (2–3 in) in diameter,[5] and come in shades from white, yellow to purple,[2] including pale yellow,[3][7][8] gold,[6][7][11] brownish-red,[5] reddish purple,[12] blue,[2][3] and violet.[7][8][11] 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'.[14]^:17 In the middle of the falls, is a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which are yellow,[3][8] or white,[4] tipped with yellow,[3][5][7] a few forms can have a purple beard.[10] After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule which has not been described.

It is sometimes known as Iris toochii,[4] or Iris taochii.[3]

It is commonly known as 'Autum iris' or 'Tortum süseni',[17] 'Tortum Iris' in Turkish.[18]

The Latin specific epithet taochia refers to the Taochi people, who were a race of people from Anatolia in antiquity, known mainly from Greco-Roman ethnography. The Taochoi lived in a mountainous area of the Black Sea to the current borders of Georgia, Armenia and Turkey.[19]

In 1927, it was initially discovered by G. Woronoff, in Kars within Turkish Armenia.[3] It was then described by Woronow in Correvon in 1927. It was then first fully published and described by Alexander Alfonsovich Grossheim in Fl. Kavkaza Vol.1 on page 256 in 1928.[3][20][21]

As its growth habit is very similar to Iris aphylla, it was once re-classified as Iris aphylla var. taochia Woronow ex Grossheim.[3][4] But in 1989, it returned to being a separate species.[4]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 11 December 2014.[21]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life,[22] and in the Catalogue of Life.[23]

Iris taochia is a 'tentatively accepted name' by the RHS, and was last-listed in the RHS Plant Finder in 1998.[24]

It is native to temperate regions of western Asia,[21] and southeastern Europe.[24]

It is listed as vulnerable in Black Sea region of Turkey.[25]

It is hardy to −20 °C,[5] meaning that it is hardy in hotter, drier parts of Europe and the USA.[5] In the UK, apart from the southeast,[10] it needs the protection of a bulb frame to form flowers,[5] although needs plenty of water.[8]

It prefers to grow in well-drained soils,[6][10] According to a soil analysis, carried out in 2006, the plant generally prefers sandy-argilloceous-loamy and loamy-sandy type of soil, with a medium alkaline or neutral, non-saline, calcareous in soils in regard of pH levels. It can tolerate slightly alkaline soils and rich soils in respect of organic matter and nitrogen.[13]

It prefers positions in full sun,[10] similar to the conditions of Iris germanica.[6]

It is in cultivation, meaning it is found in specialist bulb nurseries.[7][10]

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), and if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.[27]

• Davis, P. H., ed. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. 1965–1988 (F Turk)
• Mathew, B. The Iris. 1981 (Iris) 36–37

• Has images of the iris from Turkey

Data related to Iris taochia at Wikispecies