Iris benacensis
| Iris benacensis | |
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| Section: | Section Iris
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| Species: | Iris benacensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Iris benacensis | |
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none known [1] | |
Iris benacensis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Italy. It has similar sized leaves and stem, and blue-purple shaded flowers, that have a white, blue and yellow beard. It was once classified as a synonym of Iris aphylla, before being re-classified as a species in its own right, although some sources still call it a synonym. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Description
It is similar in form to Iris aphylla, but differs in flower form.[2]
It has stout and creeping rhizomes.[3]
The leaves can grow up to less than 30 cm (12 in) long.[3]
It has a slender stem, that can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) tall,[4]: 120 the stem is just longer than the leaves.[3]
The stem has lanceolate spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are tinted with purple.[3] They have (scarious) membranous tips, when the plants are in flower.[3]
The stems hold terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming early season,[3] between May and June.[5]
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'.[6]: 17 The flowers are 4–5 cm (2–2 in) in diameter, measuring from the tip of the fall to that of a standard.[3] They come in shades of blue-purple,[3][4]: 120 [7] The falls are narrow,[2] obovate, 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long and 3–4 cm (1–2 in) wide. It has a white section beneath the style, that is crossed with purple lines.[3] In the centre of the fall, is a dense beard of white hairs that are slightly tipped with blue in front and yellow behind.[2][3] The standards are oblong, 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long and 3–4 cm (1–2 in) wide.[3]
It has a perianth tube is 3–4 cm (1–2 in) long.[3]
It has shorter anthers than filaments, with blue pollen. It also has style arms that are 3–4 cm (1–2 in) long, with deltoid shaped crests.[3]
After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule and seeds, that have not been described.
Biochemistry
In 1956, a karyotype analysis was carried out on 40 species of Iris, belonging to the subgenera Eupogoniris and Pogoniris. It found that the 40-chromosome dwarf species, such as Iris benacensis, have in their somatic complement 16 chromosomes morphologically very similar to those of Iris pseudopumila.[8]
In 2008, a genetic and morphological study was carried out on Iris aphylla populations in Italy. Some populations (in Piemonte) were re-classified as Iris perrieri and plants labelled as Iris benacensis were not either Iris perrieri or Iris aphylla.[9]
In 2012, a study was carried out on the flora of Italy, using Ellenberg's Indicator values.[10]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[6]: 18 It has a chromosome count: 2n=40.[11]
Taxonomy
In Italy, it is known as 'Giaggiolo del Garda'.[5]
The Latin specific epithet benacensis refers to Lake Garda in northern Italy, which was known to the Romans as 'Benacus'.[12][13] It is also used by Romanogobio benacensis, a fish from Slovenia and Italy.
A specimen was collected by Anton Joseph Kerner in 1887 in south Tyrol, Italy.[2]
A herbarium specimen was collected in Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, by (collector) A.J. Kerner von Marilaun.[14]
It was described by A.Kern. in Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft' in Wien Vienna, (Verh. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien) on page 649 in 1887.[3] In 1892, it was then widely published by Stapf. in 'Handbook of the Irideae' in London, (Handb. Irid.) Vol.35.[15]
It was later re-classified as a synonym of Iris aphylla,[16][17][18] by William Rickatson Dykes.[7]
It was also thought to be also included as a subspecies of Iris cengialti.[4]: 146
Before being separated again as a species in its own right in 2008.[9]
It has not been verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service as of 9 September 2015.
It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life.[19]
Iris benacensis is not yet an accepted name by the RHS.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to Europe.
Range
It is found in Italy,[4] within the provinces of South Tyrol,[3][15] and Como[20]
It is also found near Lago di Garda (or Lake Garda) and Mt. Brione,[9](near the town of Riva del Garda) and Mount Cengialti.[7]
Habitat
It grows on calcareous (containing lime or chalk) rocks.[3]
They can be found at an altitude of up to1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level.[5]
Conservation
Triangolo lariano in Province of Como, Italy has a 'Flora Protected List' since 24 July 2008 on Annex C1 is Iris pallida, Iris pseudacorus and Iris sibirica. On Annex C2 is Iris benacensis and Iris graminea.[20][21]
Some specimens can be found in nature area near Largo di Gardo which includes Mount Cengialti and Mount Brione.[7]
Cultivation
It is hardy to USDA Zone 8.[5]
It needs medium to high light conditions and temperatures[10]
It is thought to be easy to grow,[3] and worthy of being cultivated (used in the garden).[22] worthy of cultivation
A herbarium specimen can be found at University of Vienna, Austria within the 'Institute for Botany'.[14]
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.[23]
References
- ^ 321613 "Iris benacensis A.Kern. ex Stapf is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ a b c d Franco, Alain (3 December 2013). "(SPEC) 'Benacensis'". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Richard Lynch The Book of the Iris (1904), p. 139-140, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 146. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
- ^ a b c d "Iris benacensis". luirig.altervista.org. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ a b Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN 0881927309.
- ^ a b c d Chapman, Chuck (2 April 2005). "RE: pallida and variegata distribution". hort,net. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ Mitra, Jyotirmay (1956). "Karyotype analysis of bearded iris". Bot Gaz: 265–293. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Colasantea, M.; Mathew, B. (2008). "Species of natural hybrid origin and misinformation in the Irises: A reappraisal of the presence of I. aphylla L. in Italy". Plant Biosystems. 142 (1). Societa Botanica Italiana: 172–178. doi:10.1080/11263500701873026. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ^ a b Guarino, R.; Domina, G.; Pignatti, S. (28 December 2012). "Ellenberg's Indicator values for the Flora of Italy- first update: Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae and Monocotyledoneae" (PDF). Fl. Medit. 22: 197–209. doi:10.7320/FIMedit22.197. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ "Iris benacensis A. Kern. ex Stapf (Iridaceae)". biologia.unipi.it. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ^ Adrian S. HollisFragments of Roman Poetry C.60 BC-AD 20, p. 115, at Google Books
- ^ Catherine Richards Adventure Guide to Milan and the Italian Lakes, p. 310, at Google Books
- ^ a b "WU - Herbarium WU - 63462". europeana.eu. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Iridaceae Iris benacensis A.Kern. ex Stapf". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ^ Stolley, Gregor. "The genus Iris in Germany". offene-naturfuehrer.de. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Laurin, Terry (19 November 2014). "(SPEC) Iris aphylla L." wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Chapter I Rhizomatous Iris (part 1)". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ^ "Iris benacensis". eol.org. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Mountain Community Larian Triangle" (PDF). triangololariano.it. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ "Protection of flora in Lombardy". montagnamadeinitaly.it. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ John Harrison DickGarden Guide, the Amateur Gardener's Handbook (1917) at Google Books
- ^ David G Spoerke and Susan C. SmolinskeToxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books
External links
Data related to Iris benacensis at Wikispecies- Various images of the iris in flower in a botanical garden, Italy
