Iris cycloglossa (sometimes known as the Afghani iris) is a species in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Scorpiris. It comes from Afghanistan.

Iris cycloglossa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Scorpiris
Section: Iris sect. Scorpiris
Species:
I. cycloglossa
Binomial name
Iris cycloglossa
Synonyms[1]

Juno cycloglossa' (Wendelbo)Soják

Description

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It has a small ovate blackish brown bulb,[2] which also has tuberous roots, which are fragile.[3]

It has between 1-3 flowers per stem, that open in succession from the top down in May and June.[4] They are large, (8–10 cm diam)[4] fragrant, (with a clove-like scent),[5] lavender blue flowers that have a white patch on the falls, it also has a yellow raised ridge.[2] It also unlike other species, it has (4 cm long) upright standards.[5] They have a similar look to Dutch Iris flowers.[3]

The stem is between 20–30 cm tall.[6] It has also generally 6 shiny, grey-green leaves (that have a thin white margin) that are 1.5 cm wide and grow up to 30 cm long at flowering time.[2] They grow along the stem of the plant.[4]

It has 5–6 cm long brown seeds that do not have an aril.[2]

Taxonomy

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It is sometimes known as the 'Afghani iris' in the US.[7][4]

The name 'cycloglossa' comes from the Greek words, 'tongues arranged in a circle'.[8]

It was first published in Biologiske Skrifter 10(3): 187 by (Norwegian botanist) Per Erland Berg Wendelbo in 1959.[9] It was first illustrated in 'Flora Iranica' in 1975 by Rechinger.[10]

Iris cycloglossa is an accepted name by the RHS.[11]

Cultivation

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It prefers to grow in full sun.[4]

It is hardy to USDA Zone 5.[4]

Propagation

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Irises can generally be propagated by division,[12] or by seed growing.

Toxicity

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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.[13]

Native

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It is only found in a small region near Herat in Afghanistan,[2] at 1450-1700 above sea level.[2] Compared to other species within the genus, it comes from areas subject to winter-spring floods so the bulb tolerates a lot of water and generally moister growing conditions than many other in the Scorpiris genus.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Juno cycloglossa". www.theplantlist.org. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f British Iris Society (1997)A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 235, at Google Books
  3. ^ a b c "Juno Irises". www.pacificbulbsociety.org. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Iris cycloglossa". navigate.botanicgardens.org (Denver Botanic Gardens). Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b "iris cycloglossa". plantlust.com. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  6. ^ Cassidy, G.E.; Linnegar, S. (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. pp. 145–146. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
  7. ^ Dwyer, Mark (4 June 2008). "Wednesday, June 4, 2008, Overcast and Productive". rotarygardens.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  8. ^ David & Charles (1 May 2005)Horticulture - Plant Names Explained: Botanical Terms and Their Meaning, p. 63, at Google Books
  9. ^ "Iris cycloglossa". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  10. ^ Walters, Stuart Max (Editor 2011) European Garden Flora: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated, p. 261, at Google Books
  11. ^ "Iris caucasica". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  12. ^ "How to divide iris rhizomes". gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  13. ^ David G. Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske Toxicity of Houseplants, p. 236, at Google Books

Other sources

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  • Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
  • Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
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  Media related to Iris cycloglossa at Wikimedia Commons   Data related to Iris cycloglossa at Wikispecies