''Iris spuria'' subsp. ''demetrii'' is a species of the genus
Iris, part of a subgenus series known as
''Iris'' subg. ''Limniris'' and in the series
''Iris'' ser. ''Spuriae''. It is a
subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
of ''
Iris spuria
''Iris spuria'' is a species of the genus Iris (plant), Iris, part of the subgenus ''Iris subg. Limniris, Limniris'' and the series ''Iris ser. Spuriae, Spuriae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Europe, Asia and Africa. It has purple ...
'', a
rhizomatous perennial plant, from the Caucasus region, with blue-violet flowers. It is commonly known as ''Dimitry iris'' in Russia. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in
temperate regions.
Description
The iris is very similar in form to ''
Iris notha
''Iris notha'' is a species in the genus ''Iris'', it is also in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and series '' Spuriae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial with deep blue or violet flowers from the Caucasus region. It is cultivated as an ornamental plan ...
'', another spuria Iris from the Caucasus region.
[British Iris Society (1997) ] Both dislike wet soils.
[
It has a rhizome which has not been generally described.
It has stiff, dark green leaves that can grow up to between long.][ (10–18 mm wide).
It has a stiff stem,][
The stems hold between 2–5 terminal (top of stem) flowers,][ in late spring.][
The flowers come in shades of blue,][ from dark blue,][ to blue-violet.]sepals
A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...
(outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals, known as the 'standards'.[}] The narrow falls have blade that is the shorter than the claw (section of petal closest to the stem).[ The petals are veined with darker colours or white.][
The capsules and seeds produced by the plant after flowering, have not been generally described.
]
Biochemistry
As most irises are diploid
Ploidy () is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell, and hence the number of possible alleles for autosomal and pseudoautosomal genes. Sets of chromosomes refer to the number of maternal and paternal chromosome copies, respectively ...
, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[
It has a chromosome count: 2n=38.][
]
Taxonomy
It is commonly known as ''Dimitry iris'' in Russia.[
It is unknown what the Latin ]specific epithet
In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...
''demetrii'' refers to, but an insect (beetle) ''Chioneosoma demetrii'', also shares the same epithet.
It was originally published and described by Agazi Asaturovich Achverdov and Nina Vasilevna Mirzoeva as ''Iris demetrii'' in ''Transactions of Bot. Inst. Acad. Sci. Armenia SSR'' (Trudy Bot. Inst. Akad. Nauk Armyansk) Vol. 7 page 27, in 1950.[ It was named in 1950 (identical to ''Iris prilipkoana'' but not officially described).][ ''Iris prilipkoana'' was later classified as a synonym of ''Iris spuria'' subsp. ''demetrii''.][
Later, in 1981 Brian Mathew re-classified the species as a subspecies of ''Iris spuria'', and published it as ''Iris spuria'' subsp. ''demetrii'' (Fomin ) B.Mathew, in (his book ''The Iris'' on page 117 in 1981.]Agricultural Research Service
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). ARS is one of four agencies in USDA's Research, Education and Economics mission area. ARS is charged with ext ...
on 9 January 2003 and then updated on 1 March 2007.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to temperate regions of Asia.[
]
Range
It is found in the Transcaucasia regions,[ and Azerbaijan.][
]
Habitat
Similar to ''Iris notha'' it grows on dry slopes,[ on the foothills and mountains of Azerbaijan,][ and Armenia.][
It has been found at altitudes of 2000 m above sea level.][
]
Conservation
Due to the wide distribution of the species within Armenia, has helped protect the plants survive various threats, including being picked for flower bouquets.[
It was listed in the 1st edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia, under ''Iris prilipkoana'' (a synonym of ''Iris spuria'' subsp. ''demetrii'') as 'Near Threatened' (NT).][ It was also listed in the Azerbaijan Red Data Book.][
It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and the Bern Convention.][
]
Cultivation
It prefers to grow in rich, well-drained soil.[ Including clay soils.][ It dislikes wet soils.][
It also prefers positions in full sun or part shade.][
It can be susceptible to mustard-seed fungus.][
]
Hybrids and cultivars
Due to its habit of liking dry soils, it is of interest to iris plant breeders.[
]
References
Sources
* Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR). s I. prilipkoana Kem.-Nath.* Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 117.
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q20720950
spuria subsp. demetrii
Plants described in 1981
Flora of Azerbaijan
Flora of Armenia
Plant subspecies