Iris imbricata
Iris imbricata is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains, within Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. It has broad, sword-like, yellow green or light green leaves, slender stem with branches, inflated and overlapping green spathes, and 2–5 yellow, pale yellow or greenish yellow flowers.
Description
It is similar in form to Iris taochia, Iris schachtii and the yellow form of Iris purpureobractea. It is also similar to Iris albertii, but with yellow flowers.It as a stout rhizome, that can form dense clumps of plants.
It has deciduous, erect, ensiform, yellow green, or light green, or grey-green leaves. The outer and first leaves, are normally very blunt and rounded. This led to early specimens of the plant were renamed at Kew as Iris obtusifolia, this was later classified as a synonym of 'Iris imbricata' The broad leaves, can grow up to between long, and between 2 and 3 cm wide.
It has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between tall. They are often branched, with short branches.
The stem has oval, or oblong shaped, green, or pale green, inflated, spathes. They are also tightly imbricated, or overlapping, and transparent, or membranous at the tip of the bract.
They look similar in form to translucent green pea pods.
The stems hold numerous, between 2 and 5 flowers, in spring or summer, between April and May, May, or between May and June.
The large, flowers are in diameter, They are larger than Iris flavescens, and another yellow flowering iris. They come in shades of yellow, from pale yellow, greenish yellow, to bright yellow, or sulphur yellow. Very rarely, there is a purple form, and also blue forms, were noted by Rodionenko.
Like other irises, it has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals, known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals, known as the 'standards'.
The falls are obovate or cuneate shaped, and long. They often curl under, or are reflexed. They have 'hafts' that are veined with brown, or brownish purple. In the centre of each of the falls, is a white beard tipped with yellow, or yellow, or dark yellow beard.
The standards are obovate, and broader than the falls.
It has style branches that are 2.54 cm long.
It has a short perianth tube, at under 2.54 cm long.
After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule, in late July. The capsule and seeds have not been described.
Research
In 1956, a karyotype analysis was carried out on 40 species of Iris, belonging to the subgenera Eupogoniris and Pogoniris. It found that 24-chromosome tall bearded species could be divided into 3 karyotypes of Iris pallida. Iris kashmiriana has 2 pairs of median-constricted marker chromosomes, Iris illyrica, Iris cengialti, and Iris imbricata, lastly Iris variegata, Iris reginae, and Iris perrieri all have no median-constricted chromosomes.In 2005, a chemical study was carried on the rhizomes of Iris imbricata, it found an isoflavone called 'Nigricin'.
In 2012, a study was carried out on 18 species of iris found in Iran. markers and other tests were applied to identify genetic differences among species. It concluded that Iris germanica and Iris imbricata are ancient hybrids.
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.
It was counted in 1975 by Gustafsson & Wendelo.
It has a chromosome count: 2n=24
Taxonomy
It is known as 'Svaveliris' in Sweden, and as 'Žvynuotasis Iris' in Lithuania.The Latin specific epithet imbricata refers to imbricans or imbricatus meaning overlapping like tiles,. Which refers to the plants large, overlapping bracts, or spathes on the stem.
It is sometimes referred to as Iris imbricate, normally in Russia.
Specimens were collected in 'Transcaucasia' in 1844, then sent to Lindley, from Spofforth by the Hon. And Very Rev. the Dean of Manchester.
It was first published and described by John Lindley in Edwards's Botanical Register of Flower Garden and Shrubbery Vol.31 tab35 in 1845, with an illustration.
John Lindley thought it was possible a variety of Iris squalens, but had pure lemon-coloured flowers and imbricated short bracts. Iris flavescens was also confused with Iris imbricata.
It was also published by Botanical Magazine Vol.7701 in 1900 and the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society Vol.90, f28, in 1965.
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 10 May 2007.
It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life.
Iris imbricata is a 'tentatively' accepted name by the RHS and was listed in the 'RHS Plant Finder' in 2011.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to temperate regions of Asia.Range
It is found in the Caucasus region, near the Caspian Sea, within Near the Talysh Mountains, Elburz Mountains, Tehran, Mount Damavand and Tar Lake.It is also found in the former USSR region, of Transcaucasia. Which is now part of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Within Armenia, it is found in the provinces of Lori and Tavush and near to the towns of Meghri and Kapan.
One source mentions Turkey, but this may refer to a yellow form of Iris purpureobractea.
Habitat
It grows within the valleys, of mountains, in damp grassy meadows, on scree slopes, and beside mountain streams on steep banks.They can be found at an altitude of above sea level.
Cultivation
It is thought to be easily cultivated.It is hardy, to European Zone H2, meaning hardy to. It prefers areas with dryish winters.
It can be grown in a winter rain sheltered alpine frame.
It prefers to grow in well-drained soils, including rich sandy loams.
It prefers situations in full sun.
It can be grown a rock garden, and flower border.
It could be planted with Stachys byzantina 'Primrose Heron' or a shrubby potentilla bush.
William Rickatson Dykes recommends it to be planted between August and September.
Specimens can be found at Chelsea Physic Garden in London.