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Iris hyrcana
Iris hyrcana, the Hyrcana iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from central Asia, from Azerbaijan to Iran. DescriptionIris hyrcana has spherical bulbs,[1] that are coated with a solid brown fiberous network.[2] The leaves appear after flowering,[2] it has 10 cm (3.9 in) high stems.[3][4] In the Northern Hemisphere it blooms in the winter, between November and January,[5][3] or sometimes in February.[2] The flowers are around 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.18 in) wide.[2][4] The flowers are much smaller than those of other Reticulata irises.[2] Like other irises, it has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the "falls", and three inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the "standards".[6]: 17 They come in shades of blue, from clear blue,[5][3][7] to dark blue and purple.[2] The falls have a bright yellow ridge,[5] or orange mark.[2][7] BiochemistryAs most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[6]: 18 It was counted as 2n=20,[2] TaxonomyThe specific epithet hyrcana, refers to Hyrcania, a historical region composed of the land south-east of the Caspian Sea in modern-day Iran.[8] In 1848, specimens of the plant were originally collected in Azerbaijan.[9] It was described and published in 'Flora Kavkaza' by Alexander Grossheim in 1928.[10] Iris hyrcana is now an accepted name by the RHS,[11] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, then updated on 11 December 2024.[12] It is listed in 1995 in 'Vascular Plants of Russia and adjacent States (the former USSR)' by Czerepanov, S. K.[13] It was once thought to be a variant of Iris reticulata,[2][5] except Iris hyrcana has spherical bulbs where as Iris reticulata bulbs are drop shaped.[1] Distribution and habitatIris hyrcana is native to temperate areas of western Asia.[12][2] RangeOriginally found in the Hyrcanian woods,[3] along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Iran.[1][12][2] HabitatIt is found growing in the mountains along the Caspian Sea.[2] CultivationIt prefers to grow in sunny sites, on rocky soils that dry out completely in summer.[2] As it is not very hardy, but it can withstand strong frosts of short duration.[2] Although it is thought to be best grown in the UK and in America, within a bulb frame or alpine house,[5] to keep the soils dry.[2] It also needs a dry, summer dormancy of several months.[2] A specimen of Iris hyrcana won the Farrer Medal at the AGS Caerleon Show, in South Wales, shown by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.[14] ToxicityLike 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.[15] References
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