Iris filifolia is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Xiphium. It is a bulbous perennial from North Africa and Europe. It has thin leaves, summer flowers in shades of red-purple.
Description
It has 3 mm wide leaves,[4] which appear in the autumn.[5] It normally reaches a height of 10-16 inches (or 25–40 cm).[6] But can reach up to 45 cm tall.[5] It flowers between March and June.[6] Normally more than 2 flowers per stem.[7] When the flowering shoot comes out of the ground it is covered in a purple or white blotched sheath.[4] These then open up to revel red-purple flowers with orange spots,[6] or yellow stripe on the falls.[8]
Biochemistry
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[6] It has a chromosome count: 2n=32.[8]
Taxonomy
Its name means 'thread-leaved iris'.[9]
In Gibraltar, it is also known as the 'Narrow-leaved Purple Iris'.[10]
It is often mistakenly called 'Spanish Iris'.[11] The Spanish Iris is Iris xiphium.
In 1842, it was first described by Pierre Edmond Boissier in 'Voyage botanique en Espagne' Vol 2, on page 602.[12] Dykes notes that this description is incorrect.[13] It was also described in Curtis's Botanical Magazine No.5929 as 'Xiphion filifolium'.[3]
It was recorded in the Catalogue of Life in 2011,[2] and it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, and updated on 14 November 2005.[14]
Distribution and habitat
It is native to temperate regions of North Africa and Europe.[14]
Range
It was found originally on Sierra de Mijas,[15] and Sierra Bermeja in Spain, at 3,000–4,000 ft (910–1,220 m) above sea level.[3]
It is found within Africa, in Morocco, (near Tangier,[6][8]) and within Europe, in Southwestern Spain,[14][6][8] and in Gibraltar.[10][8]
Habitat
Iris filifolia likes to grow in sandy areas.[16]
Cultivation
It is best grown in a bulb frame in the UK.[17]
It is known to be toxic like other bulbs in the genus.[18]
Cultivars
Several known cultivars are;[3]
- 'A. Bloemaard' (dark blue)[19]
- 'Filifolia'
- 'Filifolia Alba'
- 'Filifolia Elizabeth'
- 'Filifolia Imperator'
- 'Filifolia Praecox'
- 'Latifolia'
- 'Queen Of Gazelles'
- 'Rex'
Hybrids
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Iris filifolia var. latifolia (Foster) wide leaved variant [5]
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Iris filifolia var. filifolia (Boiss) and thread-like leaved variant,
[5]
References
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^ Crespo, M.B. (2017). "Iris filifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T13161707A65077657. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T13161707A65077657.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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^ a b Roskov Y.; Kunze T.; Orrell T.; et al., eds. (2011). "Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2014 Annual Checklist". Species 2000: Reading, UK. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
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^ a b c d "(SPEC) Iris filifolia Boiss". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 29 July 2014.
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^ a b James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification, p. 259, at Google Books
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^ a b c d British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 221, at Google Books
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^ a b c d e f Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.
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^ "Iris filifolia Boiss". iridaceae.e-monocot.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
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^ a b c d e "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
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^ Ivan Nikolaevič Filipév and Jacobus Hermanus Schuurmans Stekhoven A Manual of Agricultural Helminthology, p. 284, at Google Books
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^ a b Linares, Leslie L. "Gibraltar Flora". www.gibraltar.gov.gi. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
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^ "Iris filifolia". www.webster-dictionary.org. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
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^ "Iris filifolia Boiss". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
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^ Dykes, William R. "Dykes on Irises (Reprints of Journals)" (PDF). www.beardlessiris.org. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
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^ a b c "Iris filifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 8 February 2018.
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^ CRESPO VILLALBA, Manuel B. (2012). "Nomenclatural Types OF Iberian Irises (Iris and Related Genera, Iridaceae)" (PDF). Retrieved 30 July 2014.
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^ Rosenberg, Kristin. "Flowers of Gibraltar". www.unicover.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
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^ Cassidy, G.E.; Linnegar, S. (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 74. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
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^ "Iris filifolia - Boiss". www.pfaf.org. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
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^ Griffiths, David (April 1928). "Production of Certain Iris Bulbs". Retrieved 30 July 2014.
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Iris filifolia 
