Iris kuschkensis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Regelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan. It has blue brown, or purple to purple bronze flowers, with a pale purple beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
It is similar in form to Iris darwasica,[1] another Regelia section iris.
It can grow up to between 30- tall.[2] [1]
It is early flowering.[3]
It has 2 or 3, blue brown,[3] or purple to purple bronze flowers.[2] [1] It also has a pale purple beard.[2]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[4] It has not been revealed what is the count of the iris.
The Latin specific epithet kuschkensis refers to Kazak, Turkestan.[5] It is also a Russian version of the village of Serhetabat in Turkmenistan. It is also used by Tulipa kuschkensis as well, collected from the same area.[6]
It was first published and described by Grey-Wilson and B.Mathew in the Kew Bulletin Vol.29 page 67 on 27 June 1974.[7]
It is sometimes classified as synonym of Iris lineata.[8]
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003 and then updated on 3 December 2004.
Iris kuschkensis is native to temperate areas of central Asia.[7]
It is found in Afghanistan,[2] [7] in Herat Province.[9]