■ (SPEC) Iris orientalis Miller

1731, Botanical author Miller Iris orientalis Miller (synonym Iris ochroleuca). (Philip Miller, 1731, Turkey, Greece and the Greek Islands). Section Limniris, Series Spuriae. Height 16-36" (40-90 cm); Leaves swordlike, 60-90 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide, stiff, dark-green and slightly grayish. stem to 90 cm. long, 1-2 cm wide, slightly flattened, with terminal head. Spathes 2-3 flowered, opening in succession, 9-12 cm. long. Flowers 8-10 cm. Diameter. Falls with wide orbicular blade, reflexed at right angles and a narrow haft about 5 cm. long Standards erect, rounded cuneate, emarginate, about 8 cm. long Styles 5 cm. or more long. Miller in Gardener's Dictionary ed. VIII n. 9; Best known under the name Iris ochroleuca L, See Iris ochroleuca

See below:

• * References
• * Synonyms
• * Variations
• * Hybrids
• * Distribution and Cultivation

----

References:

Linneaus, Mantissa II p.175, 1771
Curtis's Botanical Magazine, table 61, 1788 described orientalis using the name ochroleuca as "Of the several species of Iris cultivated in our gardens, this excels in point of height; we have taken our English name therefore from this character, and not from the term ochroleuca, which, if translated, would be too expressive of the colour of the blossoms of the Iris Pseudacorus, with which the ochroleuca has some affinity in point of size as well as colour. Notwithstanding Mr. Miller's description of his orientalis accords very badly with that of Linneaus's ochroleuca, they have been generally considered in this country as one and the same plant, distinguished by the name of Pococke's Iris, Dr. Pococke being the person who, according to Miller, in his time first introduced it from Carniola (by inadvertence spelt Carolina, in the 6th 4to edition of the Dictionary). There are grounds, however, for suspecting some error in the habitat of this plant, for had it grown spontaneously in Carniola, it is not probable that Scopoli would have omitted it in his Flora Carniolica. Leaving its place of growth to be more accurately ascertained hereafter, we shall observe, that it appears perfectly naturalized to this country, growing luxuriantly in a moist rich soil, and increasing, like most of the genus, very fast by its roots. It flowers later than most of the others."
Chromosome counts; 2n=39-40, Simonet, 1932. 2n-40, Lenz, 1963.
Redoute, Les Liliaceae, table 350, 1812
Tratt. Auswahl, no. 89, 1821
Boissier, Fl. Orient V. 129 1884
Baker, Journal. L.S. XVI. 141 1877
Le Jardin, 1907, p.200

----

Variations

Iris orientalis has had the following registered cultivars: 'Canari', 'Copa D'ora', 'Ochroleuca Double', 'Ochroleuca Ephesus', 'Ochroleuca Gigantea', 'Ochroleuca Innocence', 'Ochroleuca Queen Victoria', 'Ochroleuca Reflex', 'Ochroleuca Snowflake', 'Ochroleuca Sulphurea', 'Ochroleucha Warei', 'Rocky Mountain Park', 'Yellow Crest'. ----

Hybrids

Iris orientalis crosses: 'Azure Dawn', 'Bronzspur', 'Carol Mckee', 'Elizabeth Teubert', 'Ellison', 'Franakins', 'Frigiya', 'Hocka Hoona', 'Huajilla'?, 'Lumiere' 'Mrs. H. R. Moore', 'Mrs. Mary Nugent', 'Mt. Whitney', 'Ochraurea', 'Peaches And Cream', 'Saugatuck', 'Shelford Giant', 'Ticehurst', 'Yellow Swallowtail'.

---

Distribution and Cultivation

Distribution: Region:
Cultivation: Full sun, .

---

Please do not enter images that are not your own without owners' permission, this is against Wiki policy

"Although the Encyclopedia is free to all, it is supported by Emembership in AIS, If you would like to help sustain this reference, for $15 you can become an Emember, click here."

Interested in Iris Species? Please visit the: Species Iris Group of North America website.

---

---

-- Main.RPries - 2010-02-25