Iris from SW Turkey Feb/Mar 2009

[DaveM]

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

[DaveM]

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

[DaveM]

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 ........

[Rafa]

WOW!! Dave, thank you very much for sharing these pictures, it is the first time I see good pictures of Iris masia!

[tonyg]

I'll second Rafa's WOW!  At work 12 hours tomorrow - now I've got something to look forward to!

[ranunculus]

Magnificent, Dave ... many thanks for making such a mammoth effort.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Stunning pictures Dave ! 
Nothing beats Iris in nature !
Thanks very much for sharing - I hope there's more where this comes from !

[David Nicholson]

Smashing pics Dave, looking forward to more.

[Oron Peri]

Iris masia, from a graveyard, east of Antalya

Dave, amazing photos,

Can you tell at what altitude have you seen I. masia?

[ChrisB]

Stunning photos, Dave!  Thanks for sharing them with us

[DaveM]

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.....     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.

[DaveM]

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.

[DaveM]

Second batch of Iris persica - enjoy!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

OMG - they're gorgeous Dave !!!

[tonyg]

Worth waiting for every one. 
Did you mention crocus?