Iris crocea

Iris crocea is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, found in Kashmir. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also commonly known as Golden Iris or Golden Flag. It was also known as Iris aurea for a long time, before that was regarded as a synonym of Iris crocea.

Iris crocea
Iris crocea, botanical garden in Berlin
Iris crocea, botanical garden in Berlin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Limniris
Section: Iris sect. Limniris
Series: Iris ser. Spuriae
Species:
I. crocea
Binomial name
Iris crocea
Synonyms[1]
  • Iris aurea Lindl. [Illegitimate]
  • Iris spuria subsp. Aurea Dykes

Description

It is similar in form to Iris orientalis but with larger flowers.[2]

It has stout rhizomes,[3][4][5] and it has long,[6] erect,[7] straight, and (ensiform) sword-like leaves.[8][9][10] Measuring between 50–90 cm (20–35 in) long and 1.5–2.5 cm wide.[2][3][11]

It has a stout, terete (round in cross-section) 95–180 cm (37–71 in) long stem.[12][13][14] It has few branches,[6] and it has 2–3 green, between 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).[4][5][10]

The stems hold 2–3 flowers,[4][6][9] one terminal (top of stem) and two lateral (further down the stem),[4][8] blooming early summer,[15][16][17] between April and June,[3][5][8] or June and July (in the UK).[18]

It has large flowers which are 12–18 cm (5–7 in) in diameter,[2][3][8] in shades of yellow,[15][16] from pure yellow,[13] to bright yellow,[17] to golden yellow.[7][8][18]

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'.[3][18] The wavy edged falls,[6][17][18] are 9 cm (4 in) long and 4–5 cm wide.[5][9] They have a narrow 3–4 cm long haft (section of petal closest to the centre).[8][9] The standards are oblanceolate, wavy edged (or crinkled),[11][17][18] measuring 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long.[4][5][8]

It has a 3.5–4 cm long style, with a deltoid crest,[5][8][9] in the same shade of colour as the petals. It has a 1–1.5 cm long perianth tube,[4][9] and a 3–4 cm long pedicel.[4]

After the iris has flowered, it produces an oblong seed capsule, measuring 3.8–4 cm long. It has 6 angles and beak.[5][8][9]

Biochemistry

In 1992, the chemical composition of the iris was studied, using spectroscopic and chemical methods. Several compounds were found including an isoflavone glucoside, called tectorigenin 4′-glucoside.[19]

In June 2012, a phytochemical study was carried out on 5 iris species growing in Kashmir, India. Including Iris crocea, Iris ensata, Iris germanica, Iris hookeriana and Iris kashmiriana. It found several flavonoids (including isoflavonoids, glycosides and tannins), within the irises.[20]

In September 2012, five Iris species (Iris pseudacorus, Iris crocea, Iris spuria, Iris orientalis and Iris ensata) were studied, to measure the flavonoids and phenolics content with the rhizomes. Iris pseudacorus had the highest content and Iris crocea had the lowest content. [21]

In 2014, eight Irises from the Limniris section (Iris crocea, Iris ensata, Iris orientalis, Iris pseudacorus, Iris setosa, Iris sibirica with its cultivars ´Supernatural´ and ´Whiskey White´, Iris spuria and Iris versicolor) were studied to find 12 chemical compounds (flavonoids, phenols, quinones, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides and proteins).[22]

In 2015, a new rotenoid called 'Crocetenone' was extracted from the rhizome of the iris.[23]

Genetics

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[18] It has a chromosome count: 2n=40.[5][12][14] It has been counted several times; 2n=40, Lenz & Day, 1963; 2n=40, Mehra & Pand., 1978; 2n=40, Simonet, 1932; 2n=40, Banerji; 1970; 2n=40, Sharma, 1970; 2n=34, Mehra & Sach., 1976 and 2n=40, Karihaloo, 1978.[4]

Taxonomy

It has a few of common names, including 'Golden Iris',[9][24] 'Golden flag',[25] 'Kaschmir Iris' (in Germany),[26] and 'Quilting Sword lily' (also in Germany).[13]

The Latin specific epithet crocea refers to the word for saffron coloured or yellow.[27]

It was originally described under the name Iris aurea Lindl. by Baker in The Gardeners' Chronicle p. 584 on 4 November 1876.[4] This name was later declared Illegitimate.[1] It was then published in the Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol.16, page141 in 1877.[4]

It was the published and described as Iris crocea by Jacque in 'Gentes Herbarum', Vol.8 page21 in 1949, based on an earlier description by R.C.Foster in 'Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University' Vol.114, page41 in 1936.[28]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003.[29]

Iris crocea is an accepted name by the RHS.[24]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to tropical regions of Central Asia.[7][12][29]

Range

It is found in Kashmir,[2][4][7] and Jammu in India.[5][10][29] It is also found in the west Himalayas.,[24] in Bhutan, Pakistan and China.[5]

Habitat

It is found growing on graves within cemeteries,[2][8][17] also beside roads and on central reservations of roads.[9] It was found originally in grassy woods.[4] It is found at altitudes between 1,600–2,000 m (5,200–6,600 ft) above sea levels.[2][5][8]

Cultivation

Iris crocea is hardy to USDA Zones 3 – 10.[3][16] Known to be hardy to −20OC.[2] It is known to be tough and reliable in the UK.[17] It is tolerant of a light frost.[16] It grows well on likes rich, well drained soils such as,[2][7][16] heavy loam in the UK.[8] It is tolerant of clay soils.[13] It likes mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils.[16] It prefers positions in full sun.[2][16][13] It also prefers to be moist during the growing season.[15][16][13] It resents being disturbed after being planted.[6]

It can be grown in the long grasses of orchards.[11]

Propagation

It can be propagated by division or by seed.[15][13]

Hybrids and cultivars

Known Iris crocea crosses included;

  • Iris crocea X Iris orientalis: 'Carol McKee', 'Mrs. H. R. Moore', 'Ochraurea'.
  • Iris orientalis X Iris crocea: 'Shelford Giant'.
  • Iris monnieri X Iris crocea: 'Monaurea'.
  • Iris crocea X Unknown : 'Mrs. Ethel Guiberson'.
  • Iris spuria X Iris crocea: 'Spuraur'.[4]

References
  1. "Iris crocea Jacquem. ex R.C.Foster is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  2. Phillips, Roger; Rix, Martyn (1991). Perennials Vol. 1. Pan Books Ltd. p. 225. ISBN 9780330327749.
  3. "Rare and Unusual Seeds I7". georgiavines.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  4. Laurin, Terry (18 September 2014). "(SPEC) Iris crocea Jacq". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  5. Akhter, Chesfeeda; Khuroo, Anzar A.; Malik, Akhtar H.; Dar, G. H. "A Taxonomic Appraisal Of Genus Iris L. (Iridaceae) In Kashmir Himalaya, India". Iranian Journal of Botany. University of Kashmir. 19 (2): 119–126. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  6. Christopher Bricknell, ed. (1994) [1st. pub.=1989]. Gardeners' Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (Revised ed.). Dorling Kindersley. p. 521. ISBN 978-0751301472.
  7. "Iris crocea". rareplants.de. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  8. "Pakistan V. 202". efloras.org (Flora of Pakistan). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  9. Singh, Gurcharan. "Golden iris". flowersofindia.net. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  10. British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation, p. 182, at Google Books
  11. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-0-88192-089-5.
  12. Kramb, D. (14 September 2004). "Iris crocea". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  13. "Iris crocea". die-staudengaertnerei.de. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  14. "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  15. "Iris crocea". binnyplants.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  16. "Iris crocea". plantthis.com.au. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  17. Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p. 57. ISBN 978-0715305393.
  18. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.
  19. Shawl, Abdul S.; Kumar, Tej (April 1992). "Isoflavonoids from Iris crocea". Phytochemistry. 31 (4): 1399–1401. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(92)80300-4.
  20. Wani, Sajad H.; Amin, Asif; Rather, Manzoor A.; Ahmad Parray, Javid; Parvaiz, Qazi; Qadri, Raies A. (June 2012). "Antibacterial And Phytochemical Screening of Different Extracts of Five Iris Species Growing in Kashmir". Journal of Pharmacy Research. 5 (6): 33–76. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  21. Kaššak, Pavol (13 September 2012). "Total Flavonoids And Phenolics Content Of The Chosen Genus Iris Species". Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis. 60 (8): 119–126. doi:10.11118/actaun201260080119.
  22. Kaššák, Pavol (2014). "Screening of the chemical content of several Limniris group Irises" (PDF). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 3 (2): 11–14. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  23. Bhat, G.A.; Mir, F.; Shawl, A.S.; Ganai, B.A.; Kamili, A.N.; Masood, A.; Tantry, M.A. (March 2015). "Crocetenone, a new rotenoid with an unusual trans-fused ring system from Iris crocea". Nat Prod Commun. 10 (3): 503–4. PMID 25924539.
  24. "Iris crocea". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  25. "Iris crocea". sheffields.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  26. "Iris". dict.leo.org. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  27. Smith, A.W.; Stearn, William T. (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). Cassell and Company (published 1963). pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0304937219.
  28. "Iridaceae Iris crocea Jacquem. ex R.C.Foster". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  29. "Iris crocea". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2 February 2015.

Sources
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 110–112.
  • Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan.
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