Iris scariosa Willd. ex Link

Species Similarity

Iris scariosa Willd. ex Link is similar in form to Iris pumila.

Rhizome Characteristics

It has a yellow-white, thick, fleshy rhizome between 1.2 and 2.2 cm (0 and 1 in) in diameter. Secondary stolon-like roots grow under the rhizome, and yellow-white fibrous remains of last season's leaves sit on top of the rhizome.

Rhizome Growth Habit

The ground-covering rhizomes grow in a creeping habit that forms small tufts of plants.

Leaf Shape and Color

It produces ensiform (sword-shaped), sub-lanceolate, or falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves that are blue-grey or grey-green.

Leaf Size

Leaves grow between 10 and 18 cm (4 and 7 in) long and 1 to 1.8 cm wide, and are generally longer than the flowering stem.

Flowering Stem Height

The leafless flowering stem (or peduncle) can grow up to between 10 and 20 cm (4 and 8 in) tall, and normally reaches 15 cm (6 in) tall.

Spathe Characteristics

The stem holds 3 or 4 thin, lanceolate spathes (flower bud leaves) that are scarious (membranous) and semi-transparent. The spathes are 4–6 cm long, 1.5–2 cm wide, and have reddish purple or lilac margins.

Perianth Tube and Pedicels

It has a short brown-purple perianth tube about 1.5–4 cm long that is slightly flared upward, and also has short flower stalks (pedicels).

Flower Bloom Period

Stems hold 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers that bloom in mid to late spring, between April and May, or in May, or between May and June.

Flower Size and Color

The unscented flowers are 3.5–5.5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, and come in shades of violet, reddish violet, lilac, blue-purple, or blue. Rare near white or yellow flower forms have been reported, though these may actually be Iris glaucescens.

Flower Petal Structure

Like other irises, it has 2 pairs of petals: 3 large outer sepals called 'falls' and 3 smaller inner petals (or tepals) called 'standards'.

Fall Petal Characteristics

The falls are oblong or obovate shaped with a narrow claw (the section near the stem), and are 4.5–6 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. In the centre of each fall is a yellow hair 'beard', though this can sometimes be white on the wide blade section of the petal.

Standard Petal Characteristics

The erect, oblanceolate shaped standards are 3.5–5 cm (1–2 in) long and 0.5 cm wide.

Reproductive Organ Characteristics

It has 1.8 cm long stamens, a 1.5–2.8 cm long fusiform (spindle-shaped) ovary, and a lavender or pale purple style branch that is 3.5 cm long.

Seed Capsule Shape and Timing

After flowering, between mid to late summer (June to August, or June to July), it produces an ovoid, cylindrical spindle, or oblong shaped seed capsule.

Seed Capsule Size

The capsule is 5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) long and 2.5–3 cm in diameter, with 6 visible veins or ribs.

Seed Characteristics

This loculicidal (compartmented) capsule holds dark brown, round or elongated seeds that are 4–5.5 mm long and 2–3 mm wide.

Native Range

This species is native to temperate central Asia and eastern Europe (specifically Russia).

Country Distribution

It can be found in Russia (Kalmykia, Bashkortostan, and Siberia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China (Xinjiang province).

Mountain Range Distribution

Its distribution stretches from the Ural Mountains (above the Caspian Sea, including along the Volta River) eastwards to the Tien Shan Mountains and Altai Mountain range.

Kazakhstan Habitat Association

In Kazakhstan, it grows on the Sugaty Plateau of the Ketmen Mountains alongside Tulipa iliensis.

China Habitat Association

In China, it is found on the Tarbagatai Mountains and Maili mountains, alongside Fritillaria yuminensis, Paeonia hybrida Pall., Corydalis nobilis Pers., Primula veris L. subsp. macrocalyx (Bunge), Glaucium squamigerum Kar. & Kir., and Chelidonium majus L. var grandiflorum Willd.

Habitat and Altitude

It grows on alkaline, dry, sunny, open stony hillsides, beside ditches, and in desert-like steppes, at altitudes between 1,500–2,400 m (4,900–7,900 ft) above sea level.

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of this plant (especially the rhizome and leaves) are poisonous. Accidental ingestion can cause stomach pains and vomiting, and handling the plant may trigger skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

Cold Hardiness Rating

It is hardy to Zone H2 in Europe, meaning it tolerates temperatures between −15 and −20 °C (5 to −4 °F).

Russian Garden Hardiness Tests

Its cold hardiness has been tested in Russian botanical gardens in Moscow, Stavrapole, and St. Petersburg, and it was only found to be cold resistant in Stavrapole.

Moscow Botanical Garden Growth

It was first introduced to the Moscow Botanical Garden of Academy of Sciences in 1946, where it showed unstable growth: it does not bloom or fruit annually, and suffers damage over winter.

Cultivation Soil and Light Needs

It prefers to grow in well-drained soils in full sun. It does not tolerate waterlogged soils, which can damage its rhizomes, but it has high drought and salt tolerance.

Cultivation Use and Sites

It can be grown in rock gardens, and is only collected and cultivated by iris specialists. It is cultivated in botanical gardens in Almaty, Barnaul, Jezkazgan, Karaganda, Kyiv, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Omsk and Dovzhansk.

Medicinal Uses

In China, the rhizome of Iris scariosa is used to treat swollen gums, inflammatory pain, sore throat (or chronic pharyngitis), and hoarseness. The rhizome is ground into powder and then mixed with honey for use.