Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Specific Families and Genera => Iris => Topic started by: DaveM on March 16, 2009, 10:17:04 PM
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A few iris in flower a couple of weeks ago in the Taurus mountains and coastal area from Antalya to Gaziantep, including the Nur Dag.
Iris unguicularis, rocky limestone areas near Antalya
Iris masia, from a graveyard, east of Antalya
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Now for the junos:
Iris histrio - two distinct forms from several locations on Sof Dag and Nur Dag, south of Gaziantep
First two pics from terra rossa on limestone
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The two subspecies of Iris stenophylla, though I understand that these are to be merged.
Iris stenophylla subsp stenophylla - growing on rocky exposures of serpentinite; Taurus mountains, north of Tarsus
Iris stenophylla subsp allisonii - limestone bedrock, Gundogmus. I was captivated by the varied markings on the standards
More tomorrow ........
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WOW!! Dave, thank you very much for sharing these pictures, it is the first time I see good pictures of Iris masia!
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I'll second Rafa's WOW! At work 12 hours tomorrow - now I've got something to look forward to!
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Magnificent, Dave ... many thanks for making such a mammoth effort.
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Stunning pictures Dave ! :o :o
Nothing beats Iris in nature !
Thanks very much for sharing - I hope there's more where this comes from !
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Smashing pics Dave, looking forward to more.
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Iris masia, from a graveyard, east of Antalya
Dave, amazing photos,
Can you tell at what altitude have you seen I. masia?
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Stunning photos, Dave! Thanks for sharing them with us
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Thanks all for your kind remarks.
Nothing beats Iris in nature !
Not sure I entirely agree, Luc ;) ;) I have some goodies for the croconuts among you a little later..... ;D But yes, the Iris are special and they do seem to withstand a dump of snow quite well, unlike crocus and colchicum which get somewhat smashed :(!
Oron:
The I. masia we saw clearly had been planted in the cemetary just off the main highway linking the coastal towns, so the altitude could have been no more than 20-30 m. From what I recall (my memory is not what it used to be), the distribution of this iris is from the area east of Gaziantep in the area north of the Syrian border: so again the altitude of its natural habitat is probably quite low. I'm sure the Flora of Turkey contains the details.
I understand that in Turkey there is an association between cemetaries and the planting of wild irises (and indeed of many other indigenous bulbous species). The interesting fact here is that Iris masia is so far out of its wild distribution.
The next installment is another we saw in a cemetary (no ribbald comments, please!!). That of Iris issica, just outside of Adana and again quite a distance from its wild location I think south of Gaziantep. though regarded by some as a separate species, some authorities regard this as a subspecies of I persica.
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And finally, but definitely not least Iris persica from the mountains east of Osmaniye, south of Gaziantep (Nur Dag, Sof Dag). It grows in both limestone gravel and in mudstone. In the latter localities there is usually no soil (it grows directly in the intensely fractured shaly rock), or only minimal soil - there is little competition in these habitats.
Post is in two parts as I though you might like to see the range of variation we saw.
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Second batch of Iris persica - enjoy!
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OMG - they're gorgeous Dave !!!
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Worth waiting for every one.
Did you mention crocus? ;D
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I did, Tony ......... ;D ;D
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Wonderful images, Dave ... many thanks for posting.
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Sumptuous gems. David. Truly a delight to see. I particularly like the Iris issica..... those velvety browns.... yummy! I suppose it would be as intractible in cultivation as its relatives? :-\
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:o :o :o - Dave all(!) this pictures and species are just fantastic - Iris masia and Iris issica are extremly seldom seen - Thanks so much for showing them - if it should be possible to show something more of their habitat I would be very happy!
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I did, Tony ......... ;D ;D
My next evening shift at work is Saturday .... but you don't have to wait until then!
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Dave, these pictures are amazing and wonderful - I would love to have been on that trip!
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Thanks for your comments
Maggie: don't think I'd get very far with these Junos, though one member of our party who lives in Kent has successfully grown I persica from seed. Perhaps others have been successful too. Not sure whether I issica seed is available very often, though there were plenty of individuals in the cemetary population, showing the variation I've tried to illustrate. It seems certain that viable seed has been set at least from time to time.
Hans: Sorry, I'm afraid that I don't have any photos of the cemetary habitat of both these species. I was only too glad to be able to see these species where we did. It would indeed have been great to see the true wild habitat of these species. However, our itinerary couldn't include excursion further east than Gaziantep. As it was we covered something like 4000 km in the two weeks!!
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Wonderful-both the plants and the photographs! :o :o
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So good to be able to see these plants.... I expect/ HOPE that fact that some are growing in graveyards will afford them a measure of protection form all sorts of predation?
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Indeed, Maggie!!
Hans - I checked and I do have a pic of the cemetary location of Iris issica. Very snowy Taurus mountains in the background.
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Dave thanks so much for posting these species - and especially the cemetery photo as I find (haunt) cemeteries for old roses and bulbs quite often - fascinating places - permission is always sought of course before getting cuttings (of roses). Have not seen such good photo of Iris masia - good to know that it is a low elevation species. Another to look out for on seedlists.
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Thanks a lot for the photos, Dave.
I think a cementery is a singular habitat for a Juno :o :D
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North west Turkey also has nice Irises. The first pic is taken very near Hereke on the north shore of lake Marmara.
The two others in my garden. Unfortunately I lost them a wet winter.
As you see they come in two colurs.
Göte
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The I. masia we saw clearly had been planted in the cemetary just off the main highway linking the coastal towns, so the altitude could have been no more than 20-30 m. From what I recall (my memory is not what it used to be), the distribution of this iris is from the area east of Gaziantep in the area north of the Syrian border: so again the altitude of its natural habitat is probably quite low. I'm sure the Flora of Turkey contains the details.
Dave thank you very much for this information.
I wonder if someone has experience in growing this species?
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Wonderfull pics dave !
it should be a very good trip !!
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Dave,
I've only just discovered this topic (Thanks Fred, for bringing it to the fore!!). Wow, what I missed!! Glorious!! Thanks so much for posting these pics for us to enjoy. I have GOT to grow Iris persica one day, it's such a stunner. Great stuff!! (and thanks again) 8)
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Dave,
wunderful iris :o 8) - why did I miss this thread? ???
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Dave,
wunderful iris :o 8) - why did I miss this thread? ???
Always be vigilant Armin !
I use the "Show unread posts since last visit" button at the top - don't want to miss anything... ;D
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Luc,
thank you for your good advises :D
Now I know your secret of why your nickname is "the cannel hopper" - so you don't miss anything ;) :-* ;D ;D ;D