Iris histrio

Iris histrio, the Syrian iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and southern Turkey.

Not to be confused with Iris histrioides.

Iris histrio
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Hermodactyloides
Section: Iris sect. Reticulatae
Species:
I. histrio
Binomial name
Iris histrio
Synonyms
  • Iris libani (Reuter)
  • Iris reticulata var. histrio (Foster)
  • Xiphion histrio (Rchb.f)[2]
  • Iridodictyum histrio (Rchb.f.)[3]

It was first collected by Charles Gaillardot in Lebanon in 1854.[4][5] In 1873, Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach (Rchb.f) wrote about the bulb in his 'Botanische Notizen'.[6] This then joined the subspecies of iris reticulata, which has now been grouped with other under the subgenus of Hermodactyloides.[7]

It is commonly known as the Syrian iris.[8]

Iris histrio is an accepted name by the RHS.[9]

It has baby blue flowers with intricate markings, shading to purplish blue at the base.[10]

Like other members of the Reticulatae group, such as Iris vartanii and Iris danfordiae, it throws out a very large number of small bulbils round the base of the bulb. If these are planted separately in a reserve ground, they will develop into flowering bulbs in the course of two or three years. Seedlings of I. vartani certainly, and of I. histrio normally needs protection at all times, especially in the UK.[11]

It can grow in loamy soils.[12]

Native

Originally located in Kyrgyzstan.[13] It can also be found in Israel,[14] Lebanon,[15] Syria and as far west as southern Turkey.[16] It's a commonly found plant in Lebanon compared to Iris sofarana and Iris cedreti which are considered to be highly threatened species in Lebanon.[17]

Subspecies

Iris histrio has been separated into two subspecies by Mathew (1989) as subsp. histrio and subsp. aintabensis because of variations in leaf, perigon tube and segment measurements.[12]

Iris histrio subsp. aintabensis has pale smaller blue flowers that are splashed darker on the falls and with a yellow or orange ridge. It is reported to be easier to grow than the species.[10] Also known as Iris histrio var. aintabensis.[18] It was found in the rocky scrublands of southern Turkey, in the Gaziantep-Maras region.[19]

Iris histrio subsp. atropurpurea (Dykes) has purple flowers but with no markings on the falls.[20] Found in 1913. This is now thought, to be a synonym of Iris reticulata var. reticulata.[21]

References
  1. Fragman-Sapir, Ori. "Iris histrio". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  2. Curtis's Botanical Magazine.
  3. "Iris histrio Rchb.f". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. W.R.Dykes. The Genus Iris. 1913
  5. Kew Herbarium
  6. "(SPEC) Iris histrio Reich". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  7. British Iris Society A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 279, at Google Books
  8. Donald Wyman Wyman's Gardening Encyclopedia, p. 576, at Google Books
  9. "Iris histrio". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  10. "Reticulata Irises". www.pacificbulbsociety.org. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  11. Foster, Prof. Michael (3 May 1892). "Bulbous Irises". Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  12. Kandemir, Nezahat; Çeliki, Ali; Surucu, Abdulkadir (12 October 2011). "Ecological Response of some Iris L. Taxa (Iridaceae) In Turkey" (pdf). www.banglajol.info (Department of Biology, Education Faculty, Amasya University). Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  13. "Iris histrio". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  14. Fragman-Sapir, Dr Ori (16 March 2006). "Iris histrio". www.bulbsociety.org. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  15. Christopher Grey-Wilson Cyclamen: A Guide for Gardeners, Horticulturists and Botanists, p. 98, at Google Books
  16. "Iris histrio". rareplants.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  17. Saad, Layla; Khuri, Sawsan (4 August 2003). "Hanging in There by a Fall – The Oncocyclus Irises of Lebanon" (PDF). orbi.ulg.ac.be. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  18. Walters, Stuart Max (Editor 2011)European Garden Flora: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated, p. 354, at Google Books
  19. "Iris histrio". encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  20. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.}
  21. "Iris histrio var. atropurpurea (Dykes)". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 21 July 2014.

Other sources
  • Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR).
  • Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR.
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 179.

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