Iris pallida subsp. cengialti

Iris pallida subsp. cengialti
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Species:
Subspecies:
I. p. subsp. cengialti
Trinomial name
Iris pallida subsp. cengialti
Synonyms[1]
  • Iris cengialti Ambrosi ex A.Kern.
  • Iris italica var. cengialti (Ambrosi ex A.Kern.) Nyman

Iris pallida subsp. cengialti is a subspecies in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Italy and (part of the former country of Yugoslavia) Slovenia. It has yellowish-green, glaucous, lanceolate or ensiform leaves, tall stem, green flushed with purple spathes, 2 short branches, 2–3 scented flowers, in shades of violet, blue-violet, deep purple, blue-purple, deep blue-purple, pale purple, deep blue, to mid-blue. It has a yellow or orange tipped beard. It was originally published as Iris cengialti but then re-classified as a subspecies of Iris pallida, and known as Iris pallida subsp. cengialti, but it is often still called Iris cengialti. It is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant in temperate regions.

Description[edit]

It has a long,[2][3] stout,[4] fleshy, light-coloured (underground) rhizome.[2] That is 1–3 cm wide (in diameter),[2][3] and has long secondary roots.[3] It forms creeping plants.[4]

It has yellowish-green,[4][5] lanceolate,[2] or ensiform (sword-shaped),[4] leaves, that are glaucous.[4][6] The basal leaves,[3] can grow up to between 15 and 50 cm (6 and 20 in) long, and about 1.3 cm wide.[2][4][5] The herbaceous leaves (die in the winter),[4] sheath the stem.[2][3]

It has a round (in section) stem,[2][3] or peduncle, that can grow up to between 30 and 45 cm (12 and 18 in),[7][8][9] or 20–60 cm (8–24 in) tall.[2][10] The stems are taller than the leaves,[4][5] and at higher levels on the mountains, the plants are shorter.[6] It is also shorter than Iris pallida.[11]

The stem has glaucous green and ensiform spathes (leaves of the flower bud).[3] They are slightly flushed with purple,[5] and before flowering, they become pale brown,[6] (scarious) membranous,[4] and papery,[5] They are 2.5 cm long,[4] and between 2 and 4 cm (1 and 2 in) wide.[3]

It has 2 short branches (or pedicels).[4][5] The stems (and the branches) hold between 2 and 3 flowers,[3][4][11] It can have up to 6 flowers,[8] but normally has 3 flowers,[5] in spring, between April and June,[3] or May,[12] to July.[10]

The small,[6] scented flowers,[3][8] are 6–8 cm (2–3 in) in diameter,[2] come in shades of blue, from violet,[11] blue-violet,[2][8][13] deep purple,[14] blue-purple,[3][4][15] deep blue-purple,[7][9][16] pale purple,[3] deep blue,[10] to mid-blue.[17]

Like other irises, it has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'.[2][3][18]: 17  The falls are obovate or cuneate shaped,[3][4] they are 5–8.6 cm (2–3 in) long and 2.5–3.4 cm (1–1 in) wide.[3][4] In the centre of the falls, is a short,[5] (16–30 mm,[3]) thick row of small hairs (the beard), which is yellowish-white,[2][3][7] bright yellow,[16] or white with orange tips.[4][5][9] The standards are a similar size to the falls.[4]

It has 2.5 cm long style branch, that is paler than the falls and standards, and has deltoid crests.[4] It also has a six grooved, ellipsoid ovary,[5] and a 0.6–0.8 cm long perianth tube.[4][5]

After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid seed capsule, that is 3–4 cm (1–2 in) long and 1 cm wide, with 3 sections, which contain 15–20 oval grey or yellowish seeds.[2][3]

Genetics[edit]

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 (later classified as a synonym of Iris variegata), and Iris perrieri all have no median-constricted chromosomes.[19]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[18]: 18  It has a chromosome count: 2n=24.[20]

Taxonomy[edit]

It is commonly known as 'Iris del Cengio',[2] 'Monte Cengio iris'.[3][12][21]

In Italy, it is known as 'Giaggiolo del Cengio Alto'.[22] In Slovenia, it is known as 'Bohinj Iris',[10][23][24] or 'Bòcje of lof'.[2] In German, it is known as 'Rovereto Schwertlilie'.[25]

It is sometimes misspelt as Iris cengualti.[26]

The Latin specific epithet cengialti refers to a mountain or large hill 'Mount Cengialto' (also known as Monte 'Cengio Alto',[3][27]), close to the town of Rovereto, in northern Italy.[28][29] Confusingly, another mountain near Arsiero in the province of Vicenza (Veneto), is also known as Monte Cengio Alto.[3]

It was found by Francesco Ambrosi in 1854,[17] on Monte Cengialto,[4]

It was then published as Iris cengialti by Ambrosi in Flora del Tirolo Meridionale Vol.1 (Fl. Tirolo Mer.) on page 643 in 1854,[30] then fully published and described by A. Kerner in Österreichische Botanische Zeitschrift (Oesterr. Bot. Z.) Vol. 21, No.9, on pages 225–231 in September 1871.[5][31][32] A. Kerner was then assigned the author of the name Iris cengialti, previously ascribed to Ambrosi.[33]

Iris pallida, Iris cengialti and Iris illyrica are all considered closely related but often given different taxonomic rank (by various authors Kerner, 1871; Ambrosi, 1854; Foster, 1886; Tommasini, 1875; Pampanini, 1909; Lausi, 1964; Mathew, 1981; Colasante, 1995: Terpin et al., 1996).[34]

In May 1886, Sir Michael Foster noted in Gardeners' Chronicle on pages554 and 555, that it had similarities with Iris pallida.[4][5] William Rickatson Dykes in his book in 'Handbook of Garden Irises' in 1914, suggested that Iris cengialti and Iris pallida were connected and should be merged under Iris pallida.[6] In 1939, Brian Mathew considered it to be a subspecies of Iris pallida.[5]

Then in Giorn. Bot. Ital. Vol.130 on page575 in 1996, Iris cengialti was classified as a synonym of Iris pallida subsp. cengialti.[29][33]

It is normally classified as Iris pallida subsp. cengialti,[2][17][35] and thought to be a naturally occurring hybrid.[17]

In Slovenia, a form of the plant is called Iris cengialti vochinensis,[23] or Iris pallida subsp. cengialti f. vochinensis.[24]

probably of Asia Minor origin,[13]

It was verified as Iris pallida subsp. cengialti by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 27 February 2002, and then updated on 1 December 2004.[29]

It is listed in the Encyclopedia of Life,[36] and listed on the Catalogue of Life as Iris pallida subsp. cengialti.[37]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Iris pallida ssp. cengialti, seen in Slovenia

It is native to Europe.

Range[edit]

It endemic in the alpine region,[2][12][26] on the Dolomites (mountain range).[38]

It is found in north east Italy,[7][11][20] (within the region of Trentino,[39] and Veneto)[15][21] and (part of the former Yugoslavia),[8][13] in Slovenia,[7][9][15] (within the regions of Bohinj.[20] and Istria).[25]

In Trentino, it has found on Monte Zugna (south of Rovereto),[40] and Mount Brione.[28] In Veneto, it can be found on Mount Summano,[15] in the province of Belluno.[21]

Habitat[edit]

It grows on the rocky mountain sides,[3][10][12] on scree,[2] in meadows,[2][12][24] and dry grasslands.[3] Usually on karst,[2] or limestone soils.[3]

They can be found at an altitude of 200–1,600 m (660–5,250 ft) above sea level.[2][3][12]

They can found in the Dolomites, with other plants including; alyssum ovirense, androsace villosa, centaurea haynaldii, crepis froelichiana subsp. dinarica, eritrichium nanum, euphorbia kerneri, geranium argenteum, leontodon berinii, lilium carniolicum, potentilla incana and thlaspi minimum.[38] They also grow in the Belluno forests of Acer pseudoplatanus (Mount Maple) and Tilia platyphyllos (Lime tree) with other geophytes and Leontodon tenuiflorus (Dandelion insubrico), Knautia persicina, Globularia nudicaulis and Paeonia officinalis (Wild Peony).[21] In Slovenia, in Bohinj, it grows in meadows with another rare plant, Linnaea borealis (twinflower).[24]

Conservation[edit]

It is a rare plant,[15] although locally it is abundant on the mountains,[12] growing in masses, hanging onto relatively steep slopes.[28]

In Italy, it is listed as a protected species of regional interest (Annex B, LR 9/2007, Art. 96), and would be classed as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List.[2][3]

Cultivation[edit]

Seen at the Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg in Munich, Germany

It is hardy to 0 °C.[16]

It prefers could grown in rich (in fertile loan,[16]), well drained soil in full sun.[11][16]

It can be grown the rock garden.[11]

It is generally not attacked by pests and diseases.[11]

A herbarium specimen can be found at the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris.[39]

Propagation[edit]

Irises can generally be propagated by division.[41] They should be lifted every three or four years, after the flowers are over. The tuber can be divided, with the dead roots trimmed and removed. The remains can then be replanted in enriched soil (with added compost). The leaves should be cut back to half their length, to prevent wind rock.[11]

Hybrids and cultivars[edit]

It has been used in hybridizing (or breeding programmes), and the hybrids that have Iris cengialti as a parent, can have multiple flowers, on average between 5 and 8. The branches are generally short on slender stems.[42]

Toxicity[edit]

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.[43]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Iris pallida subsp. cengialti (Ambrosi ex A.Kern.) Foster is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Iris cengialti Ambrosi former A.Kern. subsp. illyrica (Asch. & Graebn.) Poldini". flora.uniud.it. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Radivo, Silvano (24 June 2008). "Iris cengialti" (in Italian). actaplanatarum.org. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Richard Lynch The Book of the Iris (1904), p. 135, at Google Books
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Franco, Alain (30 November 2014). "(SPEC) Iris cengialti Ambrosi". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e Dykes, William (2009). "Handbook of Garden Irises" (PDF). beardlessiris.org (The Group for Beardless Irises). Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-88192-089-5.
  9. ^ a b c d Kramb, D. (30 September 2004). "Iris pallida subsp. cengialtii". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Bohinj Iris (Iris cengialti f. Vochinensis)" (in Slovenian). hribi.net. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Mitchell, Bob (June 2015). "Plant of the Month June 2015 Iris pallida (Orris root)" (PDF). st-andrews.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Iris of Mount Cengio" (in Italian). dolimitipark.it. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  13. ^ a b c Bezzi, A.; Aiello, N.; Villa, S.; Bicchi, C.; Rubiolo, P. (1993). "Productivity And Quality Of Rhizomes Of Some Different Types Of Iris Sp". Acta Horticulturae. 344 (344): 98–109. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.1993.344.11.
  14. ^ "Dalmatian iris". mediteranka.com. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Le Tre Venezie – THIENE". letrevenezie.net. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Iris cengialti". rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d "Cengialti". historiciris.org. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  18. ^ a b Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN 978-0881927306.
  19. ^ Mitra, Jyotirmay (1956). "Karyotype analysis of bearded iris". Bot Gaz. 117 (4): 265–293. doi:10.1086/335916. S2CID 85117341. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  20. ^ a b c Löve, Áskell (November 1971). "IOPB Chromosome Number Reports XXXIV". Taxon. 20 (5): 785–797. doi:10.1002/j.1996-8175.1971.tb03208.x. JSTOR 1218605.
  21. ^ a b c d "Cengia Prada" (in Italian). arpa.veneto.it. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  22. ^ "Giaggiolo del Monte Cengio Alto (Iris pallida ssp. cengialti)". fiorialpini.ch. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Let's Walk Together to the Iris of Bohinj (Rudnica)" (in Slovenian). bohinj.si. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  24. ^ a b c d "Bohinj Slovenia" (PDF) (in Slovenian). bohinj.si. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  25. ^ a b Tout, Paul (2013). "Istria 8th–16th May 2013" (PDF). Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  26. ^ a b Jevremović, Slađana; Subotić, Angelina; Trifunović, Milana; Nikolić, Marija (2009). "Plant Regeneration Of Southern Adriatic Iris By Somatic Embryogenesis" (PDF). Arch. Biol. Sci. 61 (3): 413–418. doi:10.2298/ABS0903413J. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  27. ^ "Cengio Alto". it.geoview.info. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  28. ^ a b c Chapman, Chuck (2 April 2005), RE: pallida and variegata distribution, hort.net, retrieved 12 September 2015
  29. ^ a b c "Iris cengialti". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  30. ^ "Iridaceae Iris cengialti Ambrosi". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  31. ^ "Iridaceae Iris cengialti Ambrosi ex A.Kern". ipni.org. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  32. ^ Kerner, A. (September 1871). "Ueber Iris Cengialli Ambrosi". Österreichische Botanische Zeitschrift. 21 (9): 225–231. doi:10.1007/BF01615257. JSTOR 43333505. S2CID 12472346.
  33. ^ a b Terpina, Katia; Nardib, Enio; Garbaria, Fabio (1996). "Author and type of the name Iris cengialti (Iridaceae)". Giornale Botanico Italiano. 130 (2): 575–578. doi:10.1080/11263509609430326.
  34. ^ Colasante, M.; Vosa, C.G. (2000). "Iris:Allocyclic segments as Chromosome markers?". Annali di Botanica. 58: 127–134. Retrieved 28 October 2015.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ Elaine Nowick Historical Common Names of Great Plains Plants, Volume II: Scientific Names Index (2015), p. 221, at Google Books
  36. ^ "Iris pallida subsp. cengialti". eol.org. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  37. ^ "Infraspecific taxon details : Iris pallida subsp. cengialti (Ambrosi ex A.Kern.) Foster". catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  38. ^ a b Erika Pignatti and Sandro Pignatti Plant Life of the Dolomites: Vegetation Structure and Ecology (2014), p. 124, at Google Books
  39. ^ a b "Iris cengialti (MNHN/P/P02158427)". lesherbonautes.mnhn.fr. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  40. ^ "NATURA 2000 – STANDARD DATA FORM" (PDF). minambinente.it. September 2013.[permanent dead link]
  41. ^ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  42. ^ Benjamin Yoe Morrison Garden Irises (1926), p. 40, at Google Books
  43. ^ David G Spoerke and Susan C. SmolinskeToxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books

Sources[edit]

  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 24. [lists as Iris cengialtii Ambrosi].
  • Pignatti, S. 1982. Flora d'Italia. [accepts subsp.]
  • Terpin, K. et al. 1996. Author and type of the name Iris cengialti (Iridaceae). Giorn. Bot. Ital. 130:575–578.
  • Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea. [lists as I. cengialti Ambrosi].

External links[edit]