Iris glaucescens is a plant species in the genus Iris and subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatousperennial, found in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has blue-grey sickle-shaped leaves, slender stem, and spring flowers in blue-violet, pale violet, lilac-purple, to deep purple, to light bluish, and almost white shades. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and became a synonym of Iris scariosa, before being divided into two separate species again, although some sources still call it a synonym of Iris scariosa.
Description
It has a thick rhizome, which is up to 3 cm thick and nodular. It has the fibrous remains of last seasons leaves, on top of the rhizome.[2]
It has falcate (sickle-shaped),[3][4] blue-grey,[3] or grey.[2][5]
It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 8–25 cm (3–10 in) tall.[1][2][6]
It is similar in height to Iris scariosa,[6] and exceeds the height of the leaves.[2]
The stem has (scarious) membranous, spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long with long keels.[3]
The stems hold 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers,[2] blooming between mid to late spring,[3] between April and May.[2][7] It flowers for an average of 12 days.[3]
The flowers are 3.5–5.5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter,[3] come in shades of blue-violet,[1][6] pale violet,[6] lilac-purple,[2] to deep purple,[6] to light bluish, and almost white tones.[3]
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'.[8]: 17 It also has white beards on the falls.[2]
After the iris has flowered, in midsummer,[3] it produces an fusiform (spindle shaped) seed capsule.[2] Inside the capsule, are wrinkled, dark brown,[2]
and globular seeds. They are 4–5.5 mm long and 2–3 mm wide.[3]
Research
In 2012, a study was carried out 2 Siberian based irises, Iris glaucescens and Iris bloudowii.[9]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[8]: 18
It has a chromosome count of 2n=24.[10]
Taxonomy
It has the common names of 'bluish iris'[4][11] and 'iris dove'.[3]
The Latin specific epithetglaucescens refers to developing a fine whitish bloom, bluish-green, seagreen, or glaucous,[12][13] referring to the plant's glaucous leaves.[14]
It was then later classified as a synonym of Iris scariosa by botanists including William Rickatson Dykes in 1913 and G. Rodionenko's descriptions in the Iris Year Book of 1967.[20]
In 1979, Shevchenko (Iris L. in A.I.Galushko (editor) Flora Severnogo Kavkaza Vol. 3 page 79, University of Rostov) divided Iris glaucescens and Iris scariosa into 2 separate species.[1][18] He thought that there was several morphological and ecological differences between the two species, but he did not publish these. He noted that the Iris scariosa distribution range was limited to west of the Caspian Sea.[20] This range classification is disputed by other authors, although most sources still split the two irises into separate species.
It is unsure where Iris glaucescens is endemic due to the merging with Iris scarious which also has a very similar range as well, although Iris scariosa is only found near the Caspian Sea and Caucasia.[10]
It was tested for hardiness in Russia, at the botanical gardens of Barnaul, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg (where it winters without shelter), Ufa (it produces seeds), but it has proved difficult to cultivate.[4] As it needs hot summers and dry winters.[6]
It prefers to grow in well-drained sandy soils.[20]
It can be grown in rock gardens,[3][4] as well as for perennial borders as an early spring plant.[4][23]
It does suffer in waterlogged soils, that may rot the rhizomes.[4]
The plant may attract plant breeders for cross-breeding with other types of dwarf irises due to its drought and salt resistance.[23]
Toxicity
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), and if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also, handling the plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.[27]
References
^ abcde"Iris summary"(PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.