Iris attica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Iridaceae
Subfamily:
Iridoideae
Tribe:
Irideae
Genus:
Iris
Subgenus:
Iris
Species:
Iris attica
Binomial name
Iris attica
Boiss. & Held. Boissier and Heldreich
Synonyms
  • Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Held.) Hayek,[1][2][3]
  • Iris ochridana (unknown),[2][4]

Iris attica ('Greek Iris') is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountains of the Balkans in Europe, within the countries of Greece, former Yugoslavia, Turkey and Macedonia. It has

It was originally called Iris attica then was re-classified and called Iris pumila subsp attica, before being re-classified as a separate species again. Although it is closely related to Iris pumila. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Description

It is similar in form to Iris suaveolens, that also appears with yellow or purple forms.[5] They are also have flowers in similar colours/shades to Iris pumila,[6][7] as well as the form of the iris,[8]but smaller.[1]

Biochemistry

In 1956, Mitra conducted karyological studies on the samples of specimens that they collected, and stated that Iris pumila (2n = 32) was an amphidiploid of Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr. (2n = 16) and Iris pseudopumila Tineo. (2n = 16).[9]

In 1979, a karyotype analysis study was carried out on Iris attica, Iris mellita (a synonym of Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut.) and Iris reichenbachii. It found that Iris attica was 2n=16, both Iris mellita and Iris reichenbachii were 2n = 24.[10]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[11]: 18  It has been counted several times; 2n=16 by Simonet, 2n=16 by Randolph in 1954 and 2n=16 Randolph and Mitra in 1956.[12] It has a published chromosome count of 2n=16.[7][4][13]

Taxonomy

It has the common name of 'Greek Iris'.[14]

The Latin specific epithet attica refers to Attica, the former name of Athens in Greece.[15][16]

It was first published and described by Edmond Boissier and Theodor von Heldreich in 'Diagnoses Plantarum Orientalium novarum.' 

(Diagn. Pl. Orient.) Vol.2 Issue 4, on page 91 in 1859.[17][18][19]

In 1862, it was published in 'Gartenflora' Vol.11 377. 1862, illustrated in color; The Gardeners' Chronicle 674. 1865; Barr 1930; Bun. 1938; Per. 1938; [12]

In 1890, Iris pumila subsp. attica was then published by K.Richt. in 'Plantae Europeae' (Pl. Eur.) Vol.1 on page 253.[20] This re-classified the species as a subspecies of Iris pumila, as Iris pumila subsp. attica.[21]: 118 [22][23] But some botanists and sources disagreed with this re-classification, and still refer to the species as Iris attica.[1][24][25]

It was verified as Iris attica by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 27 December 2002, then updated on 1 December 2004.[17]

It is listed as Iris pumila ssp. attica in the Encyclopedia of Life.[26]

Iris attica is an accepted name by the RHS and listed in the RHS Plant Finder book.[14]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to south eastern Europe.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Delphi,[27] Parnassos and Peloponnese,[28]) former Yugoslavia,[29]: 184 [21]: 118 [30] Turkey,[1][5][7] and Macedonia,[14] (including near Ohrid).[6]

In 2013, Iris variegata L. and Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt was found in Albania, during field trips in Prespa National Park and on Pashtriku Mountain in 2006, 2011 and then in 2012.[23]

North East Greece, North Central Greece, Northern Pindos, Eastern Central Greece, Central Greece, Peloponnese, West Sea, Aegaleo, Oligyrtos, Mountains Eastern Laconia, Parnitha, Penteli, Hymettus [24]

Habitat

It grows on the well drained, sunny, rocky mountainsides.[7][4][24] On stony slopes, stony heaths and on rocky ground.[24] It has been found with Fritillaria fleischeriana found growing on areas of rocky limestone amongst scattered juniper trees.[5]

They can be found at an altitude of 400–2,100 m (1,300–6,900 ft) above sea level.[24]

Conservation

It status in the wild is currently unknown, but thought to be very common.[4]

Cultivation

File:Crassula sp (14596562154).jpg The leaves of Iris attica growing with a species of crassula and Dianthus repens It is hardy to between USDA Zone 3 and Zone 8,[31] or Zone 10.[4] It is hardy to Zone H2 in Europe (meaning -15 to-20oC (5 to -4oF).[32]).[1] It is thought to be not very hardy in the UK (due to the dampness in winter), so best grown an alpine house or bulb frame,[13][29]: 184  or deep pot.[21]: 118  It is prone to viral diseases, if left in water or overwatered.[7]

It prefers to be grown in well drained soils,[31][33][34] (including gritty loam,[13]) with plenty of aeration.[8] Similar to a scree.[35] It can tolerate a ph level of between 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) - 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline).[31]

It prefers a position in full sun,[35] to partial shade.[31][33]

It has average water needs, during the growing months, but needs a period of summer dormancy (a period of dryness after the blooms have faded).[4][7]

It can be grown in a rock garden,[34] in crevices or between small stones, or in large troughs.[8]

Propagation

It can be propagated by division of the rhizomes or by seed growing. Collecting the seeds from the ripe and dry capsules (after the plant has bloom), they can be grown straight away, or stored.[31]

Hybrids and Cultivars

In 1995, it was reported by (Whitehouse and Warburton), that Iris pumila (an allotetraploid) is a cross between Iris attica and Iris pseudopumila (another diploid iris).[25][8][36]

Several cultivars have been created from Iris attica including; 'Attica Parnes', 'Dr. Crenshaw', 'Herrick' and 'Sounion'.[12]

Iris attica crosses (with other irises) include; 'Cap Sounion', 'Chancelot', 'Goldenes Fuellhorn', 'Goldhaube', 'Mama Mia' and 'Nibelungehort'.'[12]

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.[31][37]

Culture

Greek Myth - Bouquet of Persephone. The goddess Persephone and her companion Nymphs were gathering rose, crocus, violet, dwarf iris (agallis), lily and larkspur blooms in a springtime meadow when she was abducted by the god Haides.[38] need more

References

  1. ^ a b c d e James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) , p. 246, at Google Books
  2. ^ a b "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Iris attica". alpine-plants.eu. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Kramb, D. (15 July 2003). "Iris attica". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Basak Gardner and Chris Gardner Flora of the Silk Road: The Complete Illustrated Guide, p. 17, at Google Books
  6. ^ a b Blazek, Milan. "Low iris - Iris pumila". ibotky.cz. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Iris Rhizomatous Chapter 1 (Part 4) Pumilae". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d Kelly Norris A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts, p. 123, at Google Books
  9. ^ Koca, Fehmiye (2003). "Morpho-anatomical and karyological studies on Iris pumila (Iridaceae)". Bocconea. 16 (2): 625–639. ((cite journal)): |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ Sauer, Wilhelm; Leep, Hans Jürgen (1979). "Karyologische Untersuchungen an anatolischen und südost-europäischen Zwergiris-Sippen: Iris attica, I. mellita und I. reichenbachii (Iridaceae)". Plant Systematics and Evolution (in German). 131: 81–106. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference ClaireAustin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference american was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ a b c British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation at Google Books
  14. ^ a b c "Iris attica". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  15. ^ Smith, A.W.; Stearn, William T. (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). Cassell and Company (published 1963). p. 50. ISBN 0304937215.
  16. ^ Sue Gordon (Editor) Horticulture - Plant Names Explained: Botanical Terms and Their Meaning, p. 31, at Google Books
  17. ^ a b "Taxon: Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  18. ^ "Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2015. ((cite web)): no-break space character in |title= at position 12 (help)
  19. ^ "Iridaceae Iris attica Boiss. & Heldr". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 9 September 2015. ((cite web)): no-break space character in |title= at position 10 (help)
  20. ^ "Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2015. ((cite web)): no-break space character in |title= at position 12 (help)
  21. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference cassidy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ Bob Gibbons Greece (2003), p. 159, at Google Books
  23. ^ a b Shuka, Lulezim; Xhulaj, Murat (June 2013). "Iris variegata L. and Iris pumila subsp. attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) K.Richt, two new taxa for the flora of Albania". Buletin i Universitetit Shtetëror të Tiranës. (BSHN). 15: 172–178. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
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  25. ^ a b Moons, John (2014). "Canadian Iris Society, CIS newsletter, Winter 2014 Volume 58 Issue 1" (PDF). e-clipse.ca (Canadian Iris Society). p. 13. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  26. ^ "Iris cuniculiformis". eol.org. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  27. ^ Cite error: The named reference merlin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ^ Cockcroft, Claire (1 April 2010). "Parnassos and The Peloponnese: Spring Wildflowers of Southern Greece" (PDF). agc-bc.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  29. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference claireaustin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  30. ^ Cite error: The named reference bearded was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference daves was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  32. ^ "Plant Hardiness". theseedsite.co. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  33. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference edrom was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference oak was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  35. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference wrightman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  36. ^ Dan H. Meckenstock Breeding Red Irises (The Carotenoids) 2005 , p. 117, at Google Books
  37. ^ David G Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books
  38. ^ Cite error: The named reference agallis was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Other sources

Media related to Iris attica at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Iris attica at Wikispecies

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