Dwarf iris

Description

Iris danfordiae, the dwarf iris or Danford iris, is a bulbous perennial plant in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is from Turkey in Asia. It has 2 gray-green or bluish green, thick leaves, short slender stem holding a scented flower, in shades of yellow. They are spotted olive-green or green and have a deep yellow or orange crest. Iris danfordiae has a narrowly ovoid, bulb, with whitish netted coats. It has 2 leaves (per bulb), 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall. They are linear, four-angled in cross section, and gray-green, or bluish green. The leaves sometimes appear together with the flowers, and sometimes after the flowers. It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 7–15 cm (3–6 in) tall. They hold 1 flower each. It is one of the first reticulata irises to bloom, even blooming through the snow. In early spring, between January, and March. It has fragrant (scented of honey,) flowers, in shades of yellow. From bright yellow, deep yellow, to orange. The flowers are 3–6 cm (1–2 in) in diameter. 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'. The falls are spathulate (spoon shaped), and spotted olive-green, or green. In the centre of the falls is a deep yellow or orange crest. The standards are vert short, in some cases just bristles. Later after flowering, it produces a seed capsule. It is native to temperate Asia, mainly Asia Minor. It grows in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. It grows on exposed dry rocky and sunny slopes, at the edges of coniferous forests or woods, close to the snowline. It is normally found at an altitude of 1,000–2,000 m (3,300–6,600 ft) above sea level. It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (aphylla) dan-FORD-ee-ay (danfordiae). It is commonly known as dwarf iris, buttercup Iris, or Danford's iris. This species was introduced from Cilicia, Turkey in 1876, by Mrs C. G. Danford (an English plant hunter of the Asia minor regions). It was first published and described as Xiphion danfordiae Baker and described by John Gilbert Baker in J. Bot. Vol.14 n page 265 in 1876. It was then reclassified and published as Iris danfordiae by Pierre Edmond Boissier in 'Fl. Orient.' Vol.5 on page 124 in July 1882.