Iris toochii

Description

Iris taochia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains and Turkey. It forms dense clumps, with grey-green leaves, simple stems of similar height, with 1–3 branches, a flowers in various shades from white, yellow to purple. They also have yellowish or white, tipped yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is similar in form to a dwarf form of an Iris aphylla. It has partially exposed rhizomes, that branches to form a dense clump. It has falcate (sickle-shaped), grey-green leaves, deciduous, simple, sheathing leaves. They can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long, and between 1.5 and 2.5 cm wide. The leaves are a similar height to the flowering stems, but broader than those of Iris schachtii. It has a slender stem or peduncle, that can grow up to between 15–35 cm (6–14 in) tall, with 1–3 branches, (or pedicels). The stem (and branches) have inflated, green, spathes (or leaves of the flower bud). The stems (and the branches) hold 2 and rarely 5 flowers, in spring, between April, or between May and June. The large, flowers are 5–7 cm (2–3 in) in diameter, and come in shades from white, yellow to purple, including pale yellow, gold, brownish-red, reddish purple, blue, and violet. 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'.  In the middle of the falls, is a row of short hairs called the 'beard', which are yellow, or white, tipped with yellow, a few forms can have a purple beard. After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule which has not been described. It is native to temperate regions of western Asia, and southeastern Europe. It is found in the Caucasus, and northeastern, Turkey, (near Erzurum, in the region of Anatolia). Native to upland basalts in the northeastern corner of Turkey around. It grows on the dry, rocky slopes, and volcanic screes. Consisting of basalt. They can be found at an altitude of 1,500 to 1,700 m (4,900 to 5,600 ft) above sea level.