Iris dichotoma

Iris dichotoma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Iridaceae
Subfamily:	Iridoideae
Tribe:	Irideae
Genus:	Iris
Species:	I. dichotoma
Binomial name
Iris dichotoma Pall.
Synonyms
Evansia dichotoma (Pall.) Decne. Evansia vespertina Decne. Iris pomeridiana Fisch. ex Klatt Pardanthopsis dichotoma (Pall.) L.W.Lenz Pardanthopsis dichotoma (Pall.) Ledeb. Pardanthus dichotomus (Pall.) Ledeb.

Iris dichotoma (also known as 'Vesper Iris') was formerly known as Pardanthopsis dichotoma. It is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris.

Description

Inch diameter flowers of blue, rarely white, cream-yellow, or pink, lasting only one day but on multi-branched stems with sometimes hundreds of flowers

The vesper iris or p d opens around four o'clock spilling a heady fragrance into the evening air it can be combine in july with trumpet lilies or galtonia candicans in a white garden. likes growing in humus rich garden soil with good water holding capacity to enhance blooming. the soil can be slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline. sometimes treated as a biennial by many gardeners as it is short lived. But it consistently sets a full crop of viable seeds which germinate immediately in august to replace the mother plants The fibrous root system of the iris enables the young plants to be transplanted with ease. it is extremely attractive to hummingbirds and honeybees. Seeds set readily because cross-pollination has been carried out. The vesper iris is a good nectar source for hummingbirds in July and August It is 3' (90cm) tall multi-branched, has dozens of blossoms open at the same time in afternoon and evening. bluish-white blooms have attractive brown-purple or red-purple spots. The petals also have blotching.

-Iris Dichotoma or Iris Vesper: Pardanthopsis group, it is the only species of the group. Iris Dichotoma is native to Siberia, from Lake Baikal to China and Mongolia. Hardy perennial herb with rhizomes. Iris Dichotoma loves sun and drained soils. The particularity of this iris is that it behaves like a biennial. Its flowering can catch you off guard. The plant grows from a small rhizome, fibrous. The leaves are robust and few in number, it behaves like that of the iris Belacanda Domestica. Fan-shaped, even the stem, carries numerous leaves, observed the lengthening of the base of the stem. Note the high size of this stem which places the flower at 1m, leaving the foliage very low. The flowers bloomed in late July early August, they range from purple to pale blue. From one fall to the next, the flower is slightly raised 3cm, while the height of the flower is 5cm. The falls are very reticulated and carry a curious signal, made of small drop of purple on a white font. It should be noted the pretty colored stygma. The flowers open in the afternoon, and are short lived. Said that it blooms at the time of hearing Vespers, hence its second name. The floral stems are very branching. It is a plant that crosses the genera since its classification. In 1773 Pardanthopsis were classified as Dichotoma, in 1972 irises emerged and classified Dichotoma Pardanthopsis. Today this plant is considered whole iris Dichotoma. Samuel Norris crossed in 1967, iris Dichotoma with iris Belacanda, the hybrid obtained was named Pardancanda Norrisii. Iris Dichotoma, is a Chinese herbal medicine. Can be offered for sale, it does not hinder real cultivation difficulties. Iris Dichotama is difficult to cultivate, they are not recommended for amateurs. Chromosomes: 2 = 32

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'.

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. It has a chromosome count of 2n=20.

2n=32, Doronkin & Krasnikov, 1984; 2n=32, Sha et al., 1995; 2n=32, Yan et al., 1995 Doronkin, V. M. & A. A. Krasnikov. 1984. Cytotaxonomic studies in some Siberian species of the genus Iris (Iridaceae). Bot. Zhurn. SSSR 65(5): 683–685. (In Russian). Sha, W., L. h. Wang, X. j. Yang, X. l. Qi, G. h. Ma & D. y. Zhao. 1995. Chromosome numbers of 20 species from northeast China. J. Wuhan Bot. Res. 32(2): 180–182. Yan, G. x., S. z. Zheng, F. h. Xue, J. f. Yun, L. y. Wang & X. q. Fu. 1995. The chromosome numbers of 35 forage species and their geographical distribution. Grassl. China 1995(1): 16–20.

Taxonomy

Iris dichotoma is pronounced as EYE-ris dy-KAW-toh-muh.

It is written as 山鸢尾 in Chinese script and 'Iris dichotoma' in China.

It has common name of 'Vesper Iris' due

open for evening prayers hence common name

It was first published and described by Peter Simon Pallas in 'Reise Russ. Reich.' (Reise durch Verschiedene Provinzen des Russischen Reichs.) Vol.3 on page 712 in 1776.

Iris dichotoma Pall., Reise Russ. Reich. 3(2): App. 712 (1776). IPNI Life Sciences Identifier (LSID) urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:438546-1 Publication St. Petersburg Collation 3(2): App. 712

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 25 October 2005.

Distribution and habitat

Iris dichotoma

Dahuria

Range

Asia-Temperate SIBERIA: Russian Federation [Chita] MONGOLIA: Mongolia RUSSIAN FAR EAST: Russian Federation [Amur] CHINA: China [Anhui Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Yunnan Sheng] EASTERN ASIA: Korea fragrant native iris of siberia and china

Cultivation

Propagation

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

Known cultivars: 'Dichotoma Alba', 'Shilka'.

Known crosses: 'Ai Hua', 'Aurural Sail., 'Azure Pinwheel, 'Blazing Sunflower', Bountiful Blush', 'Bright Smile'. 'Butterfly Magic', 'Candy Lilies', 'Cherry Pie', 'Chic Leopard', 'Chocolate Knight', 'Colorful Stellfroid', 'Dancing Woman', 'Daybreak Sail' 'Dazzler Series', 'Fiery Rhapsody, 'Fire Leaf', 'Happy Yan Yan', 'Heart Of Darkness', 'Jungle Colors', 'Kiba Giants' 'Laced Lavender', 'Lost Bar', 'Mandarin Lady', 'Norrisii', 'Moonlit Hairpin', 'Orange Diamond', 'Pastel Parfait', 'Pink Leopard', 'Romantic Celebration', 'Rosy Brocade', 'Sangria', 'Seiya Hui', 'Sharp Shine', 'Sheng Ni', 'Shining Butterfly', 'Slight Smile', 'Sparkling Fire', 'Star Eyes','Spooky World', 'Spotted Dog Hui', 'Starlit Shell', 'Starry Bodhi', 'Summer Candy', 'Summer Snow', 'Sunset Tones'. 'Sweet Princess' and 'Wedding Dress'.

Toxicity

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.

The flowers of vesper iris open in the late afternoon over a period of several minutes, just about the time the sound of evening vespers might have wafted over an old monastery garden. It is a valuable addition to the garden also because of its late blooming season (high summer into early fall) and for its ability to bloom from seed started the same spring. The vesper iris has typical iris-looking leaf fans and abundantly branched, willowy bloom stalks rising to 4 feet. The inch-wide flowers range in color from pure white to violet.

Noteworthy Characteristics Late blooming season for an iris relative; beautiful flowers; easy from seed. Short-lived perennial.

Care Best in full sun and fertile, loamy soil. Keep well watered and fertilized, especially if first-summer bloom is a goal.

Propagation Plants produce abundant seed. Sow in pots or flats and refrigerate for 4 to 6 weeks. After coming out of cold storage, seeds will germinate in a week or two. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the threat of frost has passed.

Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info) Species: dichotoma (dy-KAW-toh-muh) (Info) Synonym: Evansia dichotoma Synonym: Evansia vespertina Synonym: Iris pomeridiana Synonym: Pardanthopsis dichotoma Synonym: Pardanthus dichotomus

Height: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness: USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)

USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)

USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)

USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)

USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)

USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)

USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)

USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color: Lavender

White/Near White Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds

One of the parents of "Candy Lily,” “Vesper Iris” is native to Central Asia and China. An abundant bloomer, the 1” flowers begin to open in late afternoon & put on quite a show, fully opening in just a couple of minutes. Flowering lasts for a good 3 - 4 weeks. The blooms are usually in shades of violet, atop 4’ plants, and appear somewhere between May & midsummer. Hardy to Zone 6. Well drained soil is best. Rare in the trade.

Full sun Regular water Perennial during bloom season

Iris dichotoma Pallas, Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 712. 1776. 野鸢尾 ye yuan wei

Pardanthopsis dichotoma (Pallas) Lenz.

Rhizomes erect, brown, very short, stout. Roots long, thick. Leaves in basal fans and alternate on flowering stems proximally, grayish green, sword-shaped, slightly curved, 15--35 × 1.5--3 cm, midvein absent. Flowering stems dichotomously branched, 40--60 cm, leafy; spathes 4 or 5, green, lanceolate, 1.5--2.3 cm, 3- or 4-flowered, apex obtuse. Flowers violet, pale blue, or cream with purplish brown markings, 4--4.5 cm in diam., spiralling after anthesis; pedicel exserted from spathes, 2--3.5 cm, stiff, persistent. Perianth tube extremely short; outer segments broadly oblanceolate, 3--3.5 × ca. 1 cm, claw striped with yellowish brown, limb with darker spots on a central, pale patch; inner segments narrowly obovate, ca. 2.5 cm × 6--8 mm, apex retuse. Stamens 1.6--1.8 cm. Ovary green, ca. 1 cm. Style branches flat, ca. 2.5 cm. Capsule yellowish green, cylindric, 3.5--5 × 1--1.2 cm. Seeds dark brown, elliptic, with small wings. Fl. Jul--Aug, fr. Aug--Sep. 2 n = 32*.

Quercus forests, sandy grasslands, dry sunny areas; 200--2300 m. Anhui, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Yunnan [Korea, Mongolia, Russia].

This species was treated by Goldblatt et al. (in Kubitzki, Fam. Gen. Vasc. Pl. 3: 326. 1998) under Pardanthopsis (Hance) Lenz, a monospecific genus between Iris and Belamcamda www.efloras.org

Iris dichotoma (EYE-ris dy-KAW-toh-muh)

General Information: Known as the vesper iris, the flowers of this plant open at 4:00 pm each day, just in time for evening vespers. This is a collector’s plant; something special for those who like growing plants that none of their gardening buddies have. Although fairly rare in cultavation, the vesper iris is easy to grow and adds a special touch to the garden late in the year when few other plants flower. It flowers for many weeks with each flower remaining open for one day. A well grown plant can have over a hundred flowers

The leaves look a bit like a bearded iris, but it has a definite stem and the sword shaped leaves fan out flat on the sides, reminiscent of a Vanda orchid. This is a perennial but some sources claim that it is short lived. Luckily they grow quickly and easily from seed so you can expect some self seedling. Seedlings can flower the first year.

This plant used to be called an Iris and then it was moved to its own genus and called Pardanthopsis dichotoma. As a result of recent DNA studies it has now been renamed, Iris dichotoma. Many references still use the old name.

The Candy Lily, originally called “x Pardancanda norrisii” is a cross between Pardanthopsis dichotoma and Belamcanda chinensis, the Blackberry Lily. The “x’ in front of the name Pardancanda indicates that it is a man-made primary hybrid between two different genera. Both Pardanthopsis and Belamcanda (now called Iris domestica) have now been moved to the genus Iris, so the scientific name of the Candy Lily also had to be renamed. The proposed name is Iris x norrisii, where the “x” now indicates that it is a man-made primary hybrid between two species.

This is all very confusing so let’s get back to the flowers. Plants with all of the above names are similar looking in both plant and flower structure. Iris dichotoma has flowers that are a definite blue-violet colour. The above picture shows the most common coloration, but it can have darker bars on the petals, and have a much darker violet colour. A white version may exist. Belamcanda are shorter plants and have either red or yellow flowers, usually with spots, and open first thing in the morning. The hybrid flowers have a mixture of colours with or without spots. They are shorter than Iris dichotoma and flowers open earlier in the day. The hybrids seem to be long lived.

Iris dichotoma has very distinct arms on the flower style. Iris domestica and most hybrids lack this feature, making it a fairly reliable way to confirm the species. Iris dichotoma has brown, elongated seeds whereas Iris domestica and the hybrids have large round black seeds, hence the name Blackberry Lily.

Life Cycle: perennial – short lived

Height: 120 cm (4 ft)

Bloom Time: late summer

Natural Range: Siberia, Mongolia, China

Habitat: moist fertile soil, sandy grasslands, dry sunny areas

Synonyms: Pardanthopsis dichotoma

Cultivation: Light: full sun

Soil: normal, well draining soil, tolerates a wide range, pH 6.5 - 7.5

Water: drought tolerant once established, but prefers regular watering

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10

Propagation: seed

Seedex availability (ORG&HPS annual Seed Exchange): available infrequently (will be there in 2012)

Germination Tips: Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard floaters and the water used for soaking. Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months. Special Care: Iris dichotoma seed prefers sunshine and variable temperature but rots if too wet. Seeds at milk stage rot without germinating; seeds at dough stage can germinate and have rather high germination rate; fully ripe seeds can germinate without dormancy, and the germination rate is up to 100%. Soak and rinse ripe seed in clean water daily x 4 weeks

Iris dichotoma Autumn iris

Last-listed in the RHS Plant Finder in 2017

Other common names Autumn iris blue curls

a well established plant may produce more than hundred blossoms daily for many weeks.

can be planted in late june or early july, will flower a few weeks later,

must be planted after the blooming season and will not produce another crop of flowers until the following spring.

2in in diam, incude shades of light blue, translucent lavender, and rosy wine colour. signal patches and brown, lemon or tyrian markings on the falls.

does not come from a blub or rhiome, but bunch of roots

leaves are similar in form to a bearded iris, except fan shaped.

grows 3-4 ft tall, require no winter protection (in Pittsburgh) It survived a winter of 20* below zero.

It blossoms at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. twisting into tight little spirals after dark and then they drop off before a new crop of flowers appears.

Withered flowers are never seen on the stems.

It will thrive in any soil, light or heavy, full or half sun. Immune to drought.

Other sources

• Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR) Cambridge University Press. Note: = Pardanthopsis dichotoma (Pall.) L. W. Lenz
• Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934-1964. Flora SSSR.
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 184. Note: = Pardanthopsis dichotoma (Pall.) L. W. Lenz
• Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994-. Flora of China (English edition).