Iris auranitica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Iridaceae
Subfamily:
Iridoideae
Tribe:
Irideae
Genus:
Iris
Subgenus:
Iris
Species:
Iris auranitica
Binomial name
Iris auranitica
Synonyms

    Iris auranitica is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Oncocyclus section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the deserts of Syria.

    Biochemistry

    A study was carried out in 2013, to find out what oils are contained in the rhizomes of various irises in Syria, including Iris germanica, Iris barnumae, Iris bostrensis and in I. auranitica. It found myristic acid, lauric acid, decanoic acid (capric acid), palmitic acid and methyl ester.[2]

    As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[3] It was counted in 1952, by Marc Simonet and then by Awishai & Zohary in 1980,[4] as 2n = 20.[5][6]

    Taxonomy

    The Latin specific epithet auranitica refers to resembling an orange or orange-coloured.[7][8] Also 'Auranitis' is an alternative to Hauran, Syria, where the iris is found.[9]

    It is sometimes misspelt as Iris aurantica.[10][11]

    It was first discovered by John Edward Dinsmore, in Tell Quleib in Syria,[9] then he published and described the iris in 'Flora Syria' edition 2 (Palest. & Sinai) on page 601 in 1933.[1][11][12]

    Then again in Nat. Sc. Ser. No. 1; Publ. Am. Univ. Beirut, No.3, 1934,[12] and in Gardening Illustrated 56 on page 389 on 30 June 1934.[4]

    It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 1 December 2004.[11]

    Distribution and habitat

    It is native to temperate Asia.[11]

    Range

    It is found in southern Syria,[11][13][14] including Jab. Kulavb,[4][6] and El Hauran.[15]

    It is listed as endemic plant of Syria, along with 200 other vascular plants including Iris assadiana (another Oncoyclus section iris), Teucrium coniortodes, Allium pseudophanerantherum, Allium birkinshawii, Ajuga chasmophila, Echium pabotii, Astragalus qatmensis, Astragalus roessleri, Centaurea trachonitica, Salsola zenobiae, Senecio delbesianus, Thymus alfredae, Vicia kalakhensis, Onobrychis gaillardotii, and Alyssum antilibanoticum.[16]

    Habitat

    It grows on volcanic lava,[13] and dry rocky soils.[5] [15]

    Conservation

    It is a very rare iris,[14] under threat of extinction.[5]

    This is due to various effects including flower collection and the factors of modernization including, urbanization, migration, detrimental climatic and environmental change.[10]

    Cultivation

    It is difficult to cultivate unless it has a hot summer conditions.[5]

    Propagation

    Irises can generally be propagated by division,[17] or by seed growing. Irises generally require a period of cold, then a period of warmth and heat, also they need some moisture. Some seeds need stratification, (the cold treatment), which can be carried out indoors or outdoors. Seedlings are generally potted on (or transplanted) when they have 3 leaves.[18]

    Hybrids and Cultivars

    Ii has various cultivars including 'Unicolor' and 'Wilkiana'.[4]

    Iris unicolor and Iris wilkiana

    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.[19]

    References

    1. ^ a b "Iris auranitica Dinsm. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
    2. ^ Almaarri, Khalil; Zedan, Th. Abou; Albatal, N. (January 2013). "Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils of Some Syrian Wild Iris Species". American Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 3: 38–49. doi:10.3923/ajbmb.2013.38.49. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
    3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ClaireAustin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    4. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference american was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference irisbotanique was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference pacific was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    7. ^ David Gledhill The Names of Plants, p. 62, at Google Books
    8. ^ Stearn, William (1973). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). London: Cassell (published 1963). p. 50. ISBN 0304937215. ((cite book)): |access-date= requires |url= (help)
    9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Werckmeister was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    10. ^ a b Almaarri, Khalil. "Wild Iris biodiversity in Syria". omicsonline.org. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
    11. ^ a b c d e "Iris aurantica Dinsm". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 31 May 2016.
    12. ^ a b "Iridaceae Iris auranitica Dinsm". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 24 April 2016.
    13. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference signa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    14. ^ a b Kerry Scott Walter, Harriet J. Gillett, World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants, p. 678, at Google Books
    15. ^ a b "MarHaba from Damascus". rsabg.org. 21 April 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
    16. ^ "Syria". lntreasures.com. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
    17. ^ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
    18. ^ Waters, Tom (December 2010). "Growing Irises from Seed". telp.com. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
    19. ^ David G Spoerke and Susan C. SmolinskeToxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books

    Other sources

    External links

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

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