Iris maracandica explained

Iris maracandica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Uzbekistan, Central Asia. It has short stems, scented spring flowers in shades of yellow.

Description

Iris maracandica is similar in form to Iris bucharica.[1] It has bulb (approx.) 2 cm in diameter, with thickened fusiform roots (spindle-like).

It has falcate shaped leaves, that are 1.5 – 2 cm wide close to the base of the plant. The leaves have a silver edge.[1] It is small species with the Juno genus, growing up to a height of 15– tall.[1] [2]

It has 1-4 strongly scented flowers per stem, which bloom between March and April.[1] [2]

The flowers come in a range of shades of yellow, from pale yellow,[2] to soft yellow,[1] and rich-yellow. The perianth tube generally is about 3 – 4.5 cm long.It has falls that have a wide wing and a raised pale yellow crest, the standards are short and deflexed.[3]

It has whitish anthers and pollen.

Taxonomy

It was originally published as Juno maracandica by Alexei Vvedenski in 'Sched. Herb. Fl. As. Med. ' No. 662 in 1935.[4] It was then published in 'Fl. Tadzhikskoi 'SSR 2: on page 393 in 1963.[5]

It is named after 'Maracanda' (the Greek name for the city of Samarkand), in Tajikistan.[6]

It was then published as Iris maracandica in 'Botaniska Notiser' Vol 128(2) page 216 in 1975 by Wendlbo.[7] [8]

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

Native

Iris maracandica is found on the gravelly slopes in foothills of Central Asia.[4] [2] Found on the Pamir Mountains, and Nuratau Mountains of Uzbekistan.[3] [10]

It can be found near Dzhizak (now Jizzakh), Samarkand and Akrabat (in Uzbekistan).[4]

Cultivation

It can be cultivated outside in well-drained soils, not needing the protection of a bulb frame or alpine house, in the UK.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Austin, Claire . Irises A Garden Encyclopedia . limited . 300. 2005 . Timber Press . 0-88192-730-9.
  2. Book: Cassidy . G.E.. Linnegar . S.. 1987 . Revised . Growing Irises. Bromley . Christopher Helm . 147 . 0-88192-089-4.
  3. Web site: Iris maracandica. 12 July 2012 . signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America) . 9 October 2014.
  4. Book: Flora of the U.S.S.R. . Akademiya Nauk SSSR . 1935 . Komarov . V.L. . 4 . Leningrad . 436 . Landau . N..
  5. Web site: Juno maracandica Vved . theplantlist.org . 9 October 2014.
  6. Aisha Khan
  7. Gustafsson . Mats . Wendelbo . Per . Karyotype Analysis and Taxonomic Comments on Irises from SW and C Asia . Botaniska Notiser . 128 . 2 . 216.
  8. Web site: Iris maracandica . ipni.org (International Plant Names Index) . 9 October 2014.
  9. Web site: Iris vicaria . www.rhs.org.uk. 9 October 2014.
  10. Web site: Janis . Ruksans . Re: Juno (Scorpiris) - Season 2010 . 2010 . srgc.net . 9 October 2014.
  11. Web site: Iris maracandica . rareplants.co.uk . 9 October 2014.