Iris suaveolens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Iridaceae
Subfamily:
Iridoideae
Tribe:
Irideae
Genus:
Iris
Subgenus:
Iris
Species:
Iris suaveolens
Binomial name
Iris suaveolens
Boiss. and Reut.
Synonyms
  • Iris glockiana O.Schwarz
  • Iris mellita Janka
  • Iris rubromarginata Baker
  • Iris rubromarginata subsp. mellita (Janka) K.Richt.
  • Iris suaveolens f. aureoflava Prodán
  • Iris suaveolens f. flavobarbata Prodán

Iris suaveolens is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Eastern Europe, ranging from the Balkans to Turkey (in Asia Minor).

Description

Biochemistry

In 2011, a phytochemical study was carried out on Iris suaveolens rhizomes. It found over 13 different phenolic and flavonoid compounds, such as 'Quinones 3-hydroxyirisquinone', 'coniferaldehyde', 'cis-epoxyconiferyl' alcohol, 'acetovanillone', 'p-hydroxyacetophenone' (all phenolics), '7-b-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one' and 'b-sitosterol' (steroids).[2] These extracts where then tested for antioxidant capacity and anticholinesterase activity.[3]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[4]: 18  It has a chromosome count: 2n=24,[5][6][7] which was found by Koca in 1985.[8] They were published by F. Koca, 'Karyological studies on Iris attica Boiss. et Heldr. and Iris suaveolens Boiss. et Reuter.' in Rev. Fac. Sci. Univ. (Istanbul), Ser. B, Sci. Nat. Vol.21 on pages 69–79.[9]

Taxonomy

Seen in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, London., vol. 139 (1913), Labelled as Iris mellita

Iris suaveolens is pronounced as EYE-ris swah-vee-OH-lens.[10]

It is known as 'Türkische Zwergschwertlilie' in German.[11]

The Latin specific epithet suaveolens means 'sweet scented',[12] it is named for its sweet fragrance of its flowers.[8]

It was first found in Kustendje, in Bulgaria.[8]

In May 1854, it was first published and described (in Bulgarian,[8]) by Boiss. and Reut. Diagn. pl. orient. series 1, Vol.13 on page 15.[13][14][15]

Later in 1894, as a homonym Iris suaveolens was published by N.Terracc. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. series 2, Vol.1 on page 182.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). The name was derived from the Latin mellitus meaning delightful.[16]

In 1871, a herbarium specimen of Iris melitta was found in Bulgaria by Janka. It was later re-named Iris suaveolens.[17] Probably after the 1980s after multiple chromosomal counts.[9]

In Italy, the iris is known as Iris mellitus with a synonym of Iris suaveolens.[18] It was thought that the iris resembles Iris pumila and grows in the Balkans instead of I. pumila.[16]

Iris suaveolens was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 9 January 2003 and then updated on 14 September 2009.[14]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life,[19] and in the Catalogue of Life, it is listed as Iris mellita (with Iris suaveolens as a synonym).[20]

Iris suaveolens is an accepted name by the RHS.[21]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to eastern Europe,[14][22][23] and Asia Minor.[11][4]: 186 

Range

It is found in Europe, within the Balkan countries,[5][23][24] of Bulgaria,[25][22][6][26] Romania,[26][6] former Yugoslavia,[6] (Albania and Macedonia,[4]: 186 ) and Greece.[14][6] It is also found in Turkey.[7][5][25][23]

It was listed in Red book of Bulgaria as an endemic.[27]

Habitat

It grows on open dry,[6][24] rocky hillsides,[6][25][22] (made of limestone,[28]) amid light scrub,[25] and scattered juniper trees.[28]

Conservation

It is found in a few places, but most of these are now protected under law,[22] including in the Dobrogea Plateau of Romania.[29]

Propagation

Irises can generally be propagated by division,[30] or by seed growing.

Hybrids and Cultivars

The species has been used by dwarf iris breeders.[7] Who have created such cultivars as 'Aureo-flava' 'Flavo-barbata' 'Glockiana' 'Jugoslavica' 'Mellita' 'Mellita Ayazaga' 'Mellita Dibiltas' 'Mellita Vandee' and 'Rubromarginata'.[8]

It was also crossed with Iris 'Rhages' (Mead Riedel, 1934) to create 'Buddha Song' (Dunbar 1970).[31] Other crosses include; 'Charlie Brown', 'First Call', 'Green Sprite', 'Karfunkel', 'Lavender Dawn', 'Melamoena', 'Mellite', 'Misty Plum', 'Mother Mella', 'Proper Lemon' and 'Rolling Tide'.[8]

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.[32][33]

Uses

It can be used as an expectorant, diuretic and for the treatment of children dentition.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  2. ^ Kukula-Koch, Wirginia; Sieniawska, Elwira; Widelski, Jarosław; Urjin, Otgonbataar; Głowniak, Paweł; Skalicka-Woźniak, Krystyna (2013). [http%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fprofile%2FWirginia_Kukula-Koch "Major secondary metabolites of Iris spp"]. Phytochemistry Reviews. 12 (4). Springer. doi:10.1007/s11101-013-9333-1. Retrieved 9 February 2015. ((cite journal)): Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ Hacıbekiroğlu, Işıl; Kolak, Ufuk (April 2011). "Antioxidant and anticholinesterase constituents from the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Iris suaveolens". Phytotherapy Research. 25 (4). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.: 522–529. doi:10.1002/ptr.3299. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ClaireAustin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference summary was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference Tutin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference telp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference american was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b "Iris suaveolens". ccdb.tau.ac.il. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference daves was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference garten was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Stearn, William (1973). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). London: Cassell (published 1963). p. 304. ISBN 0304937215. ((cite book)): |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference crc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ a b c d "Taxon: Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Iridaceae Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 19 January 2016. ((cite web)): no-break space character in |title= at position 10 (help)
  16. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference handbook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ "Original material of Iris melitta Janka [family IRIDACEAE]". jstor.org. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference perenni was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ "Iris suaveolens". eol.org. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  20. ^ "Iris suaveolens". catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference rhs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference irisbotanique was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference brittany was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ a b Kaššák, Pavol (2012). "Secondary Metabolites Of The Choosen Genus Iris Species" (PDF). Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun. 32 (8): 269–280. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  25. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference alpine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference stebbings was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ Dea Baričevič (Editor) Report of a Working Group on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: First Meeting 12-14 September 2002, Gozd Martuljek, Slovenia, p. 30, at Google Books
  28. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference gardner was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  29. ^ "Protected Species and Habitats in Dobrogea Plateau and the Danube Delta Threats And Possible Solutions" (PDF). euronatur.org. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  30. ^ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  31. ^ Cite error: The named reference norris was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  32. ^ Cite error: The named reference flavescens was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  33. ^ David G. Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books

Other sources

External links

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

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