| Iris brevicaulis
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Iris brevicaulis
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| Binomial name
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Iris brevicaulis
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| Synonyms
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- Iris acleantha Small
- Iris alabamensis Small
- Iris atrocyanea Small
- Iris brevicaulis f. boonensis (Daniels) R.C.Foster
- Iris callilopha Alexander
- Iris chrysaeola Small
- Iris foliosa Mack. & Bush
- Iris foliosa var. boonensis Daniels
- Iris fourchiana Small
- Iris hexagona var. lamancei J.N.Gerard
- Iris lamancei (J.N.Gerard) Lynch
- Iris mississippiensis Alexander
- Limniris brevicaulis (Raf.) Rodion.[1]
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Iris brevicaulis is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Limniris and in the Series Hexagonae. It is a rhizomatous perennial. It is pronounced as EYE-riss brev-ih-KAWL-iss. [2]
It has several common names including 'Zig-zag iris',[3][4][2][5][6] or short-stemmed iris,[7][8][9] or 'Lamance iris',[10] (especially in Tennessee)[11][7][12][13][14] or 'Leafy Blue Flag',[6] (especially in Ohio).[11][15][16][17]
The name of 'Lamance Iris' comes from Lora La Mance.[18] Who was a reknowned American Horticulturalist and author,(born in in 1857).[19]
Also 'Brevicaulis', comes from the latin for 'short stem'.[20][21]
It was first published and described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 'Florula Ludoviciana', (Flora of the State of Louisiana) in 1817.[22]
Michael Foster was the first botanist and author to realise that Iris brevicaulis Raf. had the same description as Iris foliosa MacKenzie & Bush (published in Trans. Acad. Sci. St. Louis 12: 80-81. in 1902).[23]
Later authors agreed with this assessment, including Brian Mathew (The Iris,1981) and Clive Innes (The World of Iridaceae). But 'Iris foliosa' was used in the 1939 Checklist and 'Index Kewensis'.[24] But most authors have agreed that Iris foliosa is a synonym.[1]
Iris brevicaulis is an accepted name by the RHS.[25]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[26]
It has a chromosome count: 2n=44.[27][6][28][8] It has been counted many times, 2n=44-Simonet 1934, 2n=42-Randolph 1958; 2n=42, Randolph, 1966.[24]
The rhizomes (thickened roots) of Iris brevicaulis contain poison. If mistakenly eaten it could cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and an elevated temperature.
The roots, seeds and plant sap can also cause skin irritation if touched.[7][29]
Cultivation
The Louisiana irises generally all have similar cultivation requirements. Iris brevicaulis needs acidic soils (ph level of 6.5) with a high organic and high fertility content.[30][31][6][32][14] It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and prefers wet soils can tolerate well drained.[33][7][6]
For best flowering, moisture is essential during late autumn, winter and spring times (October to May), when the plant starts to grow new leaves.[34][24] They can be given a light feed between autumn and spring, if needed.[31][30]
They can be used planted by the edges of ponds, streams and pools,[10] (or bog garden)[2] or woodland border.[32][33]
Once established they are thought to be a reliable source for fresh cut flowers. Tolerates deers.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[31][30][35][33][2]
Which is best carried out in late summer to early spring, when the plants are dormant. The ground must be prepared pre-planting, with the addition of a generous amount of organic matter and the soils dug to about 6 inches deep (to allow for new root growth). Plants require dividing every 3-4 years to promote good flowering. They can combine with other plants but tend to 'move' to suitable positions.[31][30][34][33][14]
If using a fertilizer, sprinkle around the plant in late January or February, before the plant is in flower.[34][30][31]
New plantings need to be mulched to prevent sun-scalding.[31][30][14]
The iris seed is not hard to raise but a very slow process.[36] It can take many months to germinate (between 3-12 months) with a 50% germination average.[31] They are best germinated using a cold frame.[33] They then can take 3-5 years before reaching flowering stage.[36]
Seeds should be harvested from the plant directly after flowering but they must be from mature seed pods. They then should be stored in paper bags, as seed stored in glass containers often goes mouldy.[31]
It is estimated to be hardy to between USDA Zones 4 to 9. It is thought to be the hardiest of all Louisiana Irises.[6][14][32]
It can tolerate frost but will flower poorly in areas with cool summers.[36][30]
It can be grown in southern UK, in damp or wet soils.[37][38] They can also be grown in most of the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. [31]
They are generally trouble-free[33] and can even tolerate nibbling by deer’s.[32]
They are often available at water garden centres in the US.[6]
Pollination
Iris brevicaulis is primarily pollinated by bumblebees.[39][40] But it is also occasionally pollinated by hummingbirds.[17]
They are pollinated in different ways, the hummingbirds must use their head to push back the iris' petals in order to gain access to the nectar. Pollen is then transferred on a hummingbird's forehead.[17]
Description
Iris brevicaulis is the smallest in all the hexagonae series of Louisiana irises.[41]
It is similar if form to Iris virginica[42]
