Iris L., Sp. Pl. 1:38 (1753).
Taxon Description
Perennial herbs. Rootstock bulbous or creeping, sometimes with swollen storage roots. Stems erect, solitary or many, simple or branched. Leaves usually basal, flat, equitant, ensiform, sword shaped to linear. Bracts 2 or more, subtending 1 or more flowers. The inflorescence arranged in racemes, panicles or solitary. Flower stem branched or simple; flowers terminal, solitary or in few-flowered groups, sessile or shortly pedicellate. Perianth segments 6, connate at base with the hypanthium, forming a short to well-developed tube, dimorphic; outer 3 perianth segments (sepals) are largest, stipitate, reflexed and known as falls, usually differentiated into basal glabrous or beard claw and a lamina which may have a beard or cock’s comb-like crest or unicellular papillae or only a smooth ridge. Inner 3 perianth segments (petals) are usually smaller, suberect or reflexed and known as standard; color variation is very pronounced, either the whole flower is of uniform color or bicolor; falls are normally darker. Stamens 3, inserted at the base of the outer segments; filaments free, anther linear, basifixed. Ovary trigonous, style stout, stigmas petaloid, arching over the stamens as a flap (petal like) and 2-cleft. Capsule coriaceous, 3 or 6-ribbed, many seeded. Seeds flat or globose, arillate or non-arillate.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide ca. 300 species, mainly distributed in Asia, Europe, N. Africa and N. America (Mabberley, 2017).
Key to Species
1 a. Ridge absent on falls…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1. Iris clarkei
b, Ridge present on falls………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
2 a. Roots tuberous…………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
b. Roots non-tuberous …………………………………………………………………………..……………….……………….……………….……………….…………………….. 4
3 a. Stem 10-30 cm; spathe 4-6 cm long, leaves straight……………………………….……………….………………..……………….………………. 2 Iris decora
b. Stem 2-8 cm, spathe 2.5-3 cm long, leaves curved……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….………………… 3 Iris collettii
4 a. Leaves four, outer three bract-like, 1-6 cm long, light brown, inner leaf 10-25 cm long, green; ridge beardless ……… Iris staintonii
b. Leaves more than four, all similar, 7-30 cm long, green; ridge bearded ….………………….……………….……………….…………….………………. 5
5 Stem 5-10cm; perianth tube 5-8 cm long……………………………………….……………….……………….……………….……………….…. 5 Iris kemaonensis
- Stem 20-45cm; perianth tube 3-4 cm long……………………………….……………….……………….……………….……………….…………..6 Iris goniocarpa
Iris clarkei
Iris clarkei Baker ex Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 275 (1892).
Iris himalaica Dykes
Local name: Bojho jhar (बोझो झार)
Common name: Sino Siberian Iris
Perennial herbs, 30–60 cm tall, rhizomatous. Rhizomes slender, spreading, upper parts clothed with brown, fibrous remains of old leaves. Leaves linear, ensiform, strongly striate, 10–50 cm X 0.3—1 cm, shining green on upper surface, greyish beneath. Flower stem solid, exceeding leaves, sometimes simple, usually with one branch; spathes 2, green, broadly lanceolate, 1-(2) flowered; pedicels 5–12 cm, carrying flowers almost free of spathes. Flowers bluish violet, ca. 9 cm diameter, tube 1–1.5 cm, funnel-shaped; falls blade deflexed, dark blue to purple, white or greenish-yellow tinged at base, oblong, 3.5–4 cm X 1–1.5 cm; standard blade horizontal or recurved, lanceolate, acute, abruptly narrowed into very narrow, channeled haft. Anthers whitish-mauve or cream. Style branches broad, forming flattened top to flower, lobes half-ovate. Capsule oblong-trigonous, abruptly contracted at top and bottom, 3.6–5.5 cm, opening from top.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 3000-3800 m.
Ecology: On moist slope along with Berberis bushes and grass meadow.
Flowering: June-July. Fruiting: August-September.
Specimens examined
Central Nepal: Gandaki Province, Gorkha district, Khorlak, 3960-4880 m, ann. 1927, Capt. Lall Dhwoj 13 (BM). Bagmati Province, Dhading district, Ankhu Khola, 10,000 ft, 15.6.1962, J.D.A. Stainton 3844 (KATH); Rasuwa district, Singompa-Khengja, 10,450-11,750 ft, 2.6.1958, S.R. Rolla 17212 (KATH).
East Nepal: Province one, Panchthar district, Chandu, 3550 m, 9.6.2007, K.K. Shrestha, S. Rajbhandary, K. Humagain & N.B. Khatri Chhetri LKSRA 78 (E).
Iris decora
Iris decora Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 77, t. 86 (1830).
Iris nepalensis D.Don; Iris sulcata Wall., nom. nud.; Evansia nepalensis Klatt.
Local name: पदम पुष्कर (Padampuskar)
Type specimen: Central Nepal, Bagmati Province, Makwanpur district, Ekdanta – near Bhimphedi, N. Wallich s.n. (Syntype: K); Rasuwa district, Gossain Than, August 1819, E. Gardner s.n. (Syntype of Iris nepalensis, BM).
Perennial herbs, 10–30 cm tall, often branched, non-rhizomatous. Roots swollen, tuberous, finger like, many, white fleshy, densely covered by remains of old leaves. Leaves linear, thin, strongly ribbed, 20–40 X 0.3–1 cm, straight. Spathe 4-6 cm long, slender, acuminate, keeled, generally 1-2-flowered; pedicel 1–7 cm long. Flowers 1–5 cm in diameter, perianth-tube slender 5—7 cm, pale blue-lavender to deep red purple; falls 2-3 cm X 1-1.5 cm, broadly oblong, as long as the claw, haft with deeper reddish-purple veins and central yellow ridge; standards narrowly lanceolate, bent outwards and downwards like falls. Filaments white, slightly violet tinged, anthers cream colored, violet-tinged at the base. Ovary 3-sided, each side slightly concave. Style broadly lobed, pale-violet, toothed at edges; stigma deeply bilobed. Capsule long, 2–4 cm X 1–1.5 cm, trigonal, grooved at sides, tip pointed. Seeds dark brown, small, round; aril larger than seed.
Distribution: Nepal, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, E Asia.
Altitudinal Range: 1800-4000 m.
Ecology: On moist and shady places under conifer forest as Juniperus indica scrub and Quercus lanuginosa forest.
Flowering: May-July. Fruiting: July-August.
Specimens examined
West Nepal: Sudur Paschim Province, Darchula district, Chhety, 9,500 ft, 20.6.1965, T.B. Shrestha 4224 (KATH); Doti district, Napani, 2,310 m, 30.6.1976, H. Tabata, K.R. Rajbhandari & K. Tsuchiya 806 (KATH). Karnali Province, Mugu district, Rara, 9,700 ft, 4.7.1968, S.B. Malla 10785 (KATH); Mugu district, Tibrikot, 8,500 ft, 3.6.1966, T.B. Shrestha 5070 (BM); Humla district, Simikot, 3,880 m, 21.6.2008, C.A. Pendry, S. Baral, S. Noshiro, S. Rajbhandary, P.P. Kumi, B. Dell & B. Adhikari JRSA 244 (KATH); Jumla district, Chautha, 2940 m, 6.6.2008, C.A. Pendry, S. Baral, S. Noshiro, S. Rajbhandary, P.P. Kumi, B. Dell & B. Adhikari JRSA70 (KATH); Dolpa district, Dunai, 2,424 m, 12.9.1976, H. Tabata, K.R. Rajbhandari & K. Tsuchiya 3428 (KATH).
Central Nepal: Gandaki Province, Mustang district, Lete, 9,000 ft, 9.6.1964, J.D.A. Stainton, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 1038 (BM). Bagmati Province, Rasuwa district, Langtang, 12,500 ft, 25.6.1965, Schilling, Sayer & Bista 430 (KATH); Sindhupalchok district, Helambu, 3600 m, J.J. Metz 40 (KATH); Ramechhap district, Lophragaon – Dhobigaon, 2300 m, 11.8.1977, K.R. Rajbhandari & B. Roy 2225 (KATH).
East Nepal: Province 1, Dhankuta district, Arun valley, Chyamtang, 8,000 ft, 24.5.1956, J.D.A. Stainton, 410 (E); Sankhuwasabha district, Chepuwa – Honggaon, 8,000 ft, 15.5.1965, Banerji, Upadhaya & Basukala 3492 (KATH); Taplejung district, Amjilasa, 2,490 m, 13.6.1991, R.J.D. McBeath 2530 (E).
Iris collettii
Iris collettii Hook.f., Bot. Mag. 129: t. 7889 (1903).
Iris nepalensis D. Don forma depauperata Collett & Hemsl; Iris nepalensis D. Don var. letha Foster; Iris duclouxii H. Lev.
Perennial herbs, 2—8 cm tall, non-rhizomatous, densely tufted. Roots thick, swollen, fusiform, tuberous and fingerlike. Leaves basal, grayish green, curved, sword-shaped, 40–45 cm X 5–7 mm, veins 2 or 3, base surrounded by brown fibers remaining of old leaves. Flowering stems poorly developed, very simple, not more than 8cm or sometimes not emerging from ground; spathes 2, green, lanceolate, 2.5–3 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 2-4-flowered, violet, 2–3 cm in diameter. Perianth tube short and slender 3–5cm; falls spreading, broad, elliptic-obovate, 2–2.5 cm, crest orange or yellow; standards narrow, erect, oblanceolate, 1.7–2 cm. Stamens 1 cm, opposed to style branches and appressed to them, anthers yellow. Style branches erect, 2 cm, branched petaloid arching over stamens, apex of branches extended as two lobes (crests) projecting beyond flap like with abaxial stigma. Capsule green, ovoid, 1.5–2 X 1.3-1.5 cm, apex shortly beaked. Seeds black-brown, arillate.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, E Asia and SE Asia.
Altitudinal Range: 1700-3700 m
Ecology: Open Quercus-Pinus Forest.
Flowering: May-June. Fruiting: July-August.
Note: Floral characters are taken from secondary literatures (Flora of China, and Flora of Bhutan).
East Nepal: Province one, Taplejung district, Ghunsa khola S.W. Amjilassa, 2,500 m, 5.9.1989, KEKE 265 (KATH, E).
Iris staintonii
Iris staintonii H.Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 49: 203 (1974).
Type specimen: Central Nepal, Bagmati Province, Dhading District, Ganesh Himal, Abuthum lekh, 11,500 ft (28.12’N, 85.0’E) 9.7.1962, J.D.A. Stainton 3960 (Isotype: KATH000972).
Perennial herbs, 5–10 cm tall, rhizomatous. Rhizome small 1-1.5 cm, very compact, knob-like, one or two in number, upper parts covered with fibrous brown scaly leaves. Leaves usually four, external leaf sheathing subtending 1–6 cm X 1–2 mm long, obtuse apex; innermost leaf long, linear, 10–25 cm X 1–5 mm, exceeding flowering stem, pale green, 3–5 nerved, entire margin and acute apex. Flower stem slender, bract simple, not well developed usually with one branch; spathes 1-flowered, pedicel 2–3 cm. Flowers to 4 cm diameter, perianth tube 1–2 cm, slender above gradually increased lobes, ovate-spathulate or funnel-shaped; fall blades deflexed, usually mauve, 1.5–2 cm X 5 mm, falls beardless with central white ridge. Standard horizontal, 1–1.5 cm X 5mm, lanceolate, abruptly narrowed into very narrow channeled haft. Anthers mauve 5 mm, filament slender, 0.5–1 cm. Style branches broad and pointed at tips into two, 2 X 0.5 cm, and lobes ovate.
Distribution: Endemic to Nepal.
Altitudinal Range: 3500-4300 m.
Ecology: Abundant on open grazed slopes.
Flowering: June-July. Fruiting: August-September.
Specimens examined
Central Nepal: Gandaki Province, Dhading district, S. of Ganesh Himal, Abuthum Lekh, 11,000 ft, 19.6.1975, J.D.A. Stainton 7873 (KATH); Bagmati Province, Rasuwa district, Gosainkunda, 4,268 m, 18.6.1991, Mini s.n. (TUCH).
Iris kemaonensis
Iris kemaonensis Wall. ex Royle, III. Bot. Himal. Mts. 1: 372 (1839).
Iris tigrina Jacquem. ex Baker; Iris duthiei Foster
Local names: पिपरी (Pipari), पदम पुस्कर (Padam Puskar)
Perennial herbs, 5-10 cm tall. Roots fleshy, rhizome having lumps. Leaves linear not fully developed at flowering, short, blunt-tipped and apiculate, pale green, mature leaves linear, tapering to acute apex, 8–10 cm X 3–6 mm. Bracts 2-3 in number, 4–5.5 cm X 0.5–1 cm, acuminate, broad, sheathing the base of hypanthium tube. Flower stem hidden by bract-like leaves, spathes 1-flowered, shorter than tube. Flowers 4–5 cm in diameter, lilac purple with darker blotches, perianth tube trumpet- shaped 5–8 cm long; falls wide, 4.5 X 2.5 cm, haft cuneate, beard of dense white hairs tipped with yellow or orange; standards narrow, ca. 4 X 1.5 cm, erect, obovate. Stamens three, 2–2.3 cm, filaments blue, anthers white. Style branches ca. 3 X 0.5 cm, crest small, triangular, crenate, stigma entire. Capsule 2–2.5 cm, globose, almost sessile at ground level, tapering to a pointed tip, dehiscence longitudinal. Seeds pyriform, brown red, with milky yellow aril.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya and N. Asia.
Altitudinal Range: 2500-4300 m
Ecology: On sunny pebbly place on glacial moraine.
Flowering: May-June. Fruiting: June-August.
Specimens examined
West Nepal: Sudur Pashchim Province, Darchula district, Nampa Khola, 11,300 ft, 14.6.1953, J.B. Tyson 32 (BM); Bajhang district, North of Chainpur, 11,400 ft, 19.5.1965, T.B. Shrestha 4125 (KATH). Karnali Province, Humla district, Simikot Lagna, above Simikot, 4,030 m, 20.6.2008, C.A. Pendry, S. Baral, S. Noshiro, S. Rajbhandary, P.P. Kumi, B. Dell & B. Adhikari JRSA197 (KATH); Rukum district, Kawa Lekh, 3,620 m, 18.5.1971, P.R. Shakya & D.P. Joshi 546 (KATH); Dailekh district, Pulanto Dara, 10,500 ft, 28.4.1952, O. Polunin, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 869 (BM).
Central Nepal: Gandaki Province, Baglung district, Burtibang, 12,500 ft, 28.4.1954, J.D.A. Stainton, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 2648 (BM); Gorkha district, Sama – Samko, Ghorepani and Sikha, 3,490 m, 2.6.1983, P.R. Shakya, M.K. Adhikari & M.N. Subedi 7717 (KATH). Bagmati Province, Rasuwa district, Kyanjin Gompa, 3,850 m, 21.5.2001, S. Akiyama, M. Amano, C. Mouri, M. N. Subedi, H. Tsukaya & Yonekura 20100483 (KATH).
East Nepal: Province 1, Solukhumbu district, Namche Bazar – Thangboche, 11,200-12,500 ft, 16.4.1958, S.R. Rolla 13729 (KATH).
Iris goniocarpa
Iris goniocarpa Baker, Gard. Chron. n. s. 6: 710 (1876).
Iris gracilis Maxim.
Local names: पिपरी (Pipari), मनिङ् ड्रिमा (Maning-drema: Amchi)
Perennial herbs, 20–45 cm, slender. Rhizomes erect, very short, compact, stems tufted, subtended by reticulate fibrous remains of old brown leaves at base of stem. Leaves yellowish green, linear, narrow, 20–60 cm X 1–5 mm, midvein obscure, apex acute, grass-like, long, exceeding the flower stem. Flowering stem leafless or 1 or 2-leaved, spathes 2, green, lanceolate, 4–5 cm X 6–8 mm, 1-flowered, apex recurved, acuminate, enclosing perianth tube which is 3–4 cm. Flowers 4–5 cm in diameter; falls broad, shallowly deflexed, mauve-purple, with deep purple mottling, obovate to elliptic, with central beard of club-shaped, white-based, yellow-tipped unicellular hairs, retuse apex; standards narrow, spreading above, blades narrowly oblong, 2–2.5 cm X 4–5 mm, abruptly contracted into very narrow claw, apex retuse or truncate. Stamens ca. 1.8 cm, anthers orange. Ovary 10–15 mm, style branches into lobes, ca.10 mm. Capsule ellipsoid 3.2–4 cm X 1.2 –1.8 cm in diameter, 3-angled shortly beaked.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, N Asia and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal Range: 3600-4400 m.
Ecology: Among dense dwarf bushes of Juniperus and Rhododendron and on open hillside.
Flowering: May-June. Fruiting: July-August.
Note: Capsule characters taken from Flora of China.
Specimens examined
West Nepal: Karnali Province, Jumla district 12,500 ft, 11.7.1952, O. Polunin, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 4551 (BM); Dolpa district, Gomba, 2,700 m, 16.4.1973, Einarsson, Skarby & Wetterhall 352 (KATH).
Central Nepal: Gandaki Province, Mustang district, Muktinath (3650m) – Jharkot (3500m), 12.9.1999, S. Ishizawa, M.N. Subedi, Y. Iokawa & Y. Takahashi 99912007 (TI); Manang district, Kaisang – Tilicho, 3,800 m, 29.6.1975, D.P. Joshi & T.K. Bhattacharya 75/3058 (KATH); Marsiandhi Valley, 13,000 ft, 6.6.1950, D.G. Lowndes 946 (BM); Gorkha district, Sringi Himal, Shiar Khola, 12,800 ft, 28.5.1953, P.C. Gardner 620 (BM). Bagmati Province, Rasuwa district, Langsisa Kharka, c.14,500 ft, 15.6.1949, O. Polunin 331 (BM).
Uncertain species
Epidendrum domesticum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 952 (1753); Belamcanda chinensis (L.) Redouté
Local name: ट्यांङ्ग पत्रे (Tyang patre), पद्म पुष्कर (Padam puskar)
Perennial rhizomatous herbs.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, S Asia, E Asia and SE Asia (probably escape from the garden).
Altitudinal Range: 700-2,300 m.
Ecology:
Flowering: May-June. Fruiting: July-August.
Specimens examined
Central Nepal: Gandaki Province, Myagdi District, Shika – Narchang, 1,800 m, 26/08/1988, M. Suzuki et al. 8881462 (TI).
Exotic/Cultivated Taxa
[Source: Shrestha. K.K., Bhandari, P. & Bhattarai, S.B. (2022). Plants of Nepal (Gymnosperms & Angiosperms). Heritage Book Publishers & Distributors, Kathmandu, Nepal (in Press)].
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora (Lemoine) N.E.Br., Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa 20: 264 (1932)
Montbretia × crocosmiiflora Lemoine, Garden (London) 18: 188 (1880)
Perennial herbs. Native of Europe (France). Use: Ornamental.
Crocus sativus L., Sp. Pl. 1: 36 (1753)
कुमकुम (Kumkum), केशर (Keshar); Saffron
Perennial herbs. Native of India, Mediterranean region. Use(s): Medicine (pistil), Volatile oil, Ornamental.
Dietes iridioides (L.) Sweet ex Klatt, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 156 (1894)
Moraea iridioides L., Mant. Pl. 1: 28 (1767)
Fortnight Lily
Perennial herbs. Native of Africa. Use: Ornamental.
Freesia refracta (Jacq.) Klatt, Linnaea 34: 673 (1866)
Gladiolus refractus Jacq., Icon. Pl. Rar. 2(16): 4, t. 241 (1795)
Perennial herbs. Native of Cape Province. Use: Ornamental.
Gladiolus × hybridus C.Morren, Ann. Soc. Roy. Agric. Gand 3: t. 518 (1847)
तरवारे फूल (Tarbare phul); Gladiolus
Perennial herbs. Native of Europe and Africa. Use: Ornamental.
Iris × germanica L., Sp. Pl. 1: 38 (1753)
Iris germanica var. nepalensis (Wall. ex Lindl.) Herbs., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 26(Misc.): 34 (1840); Stearn in Hara et al., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nep. 1: 64 (1978)
Iris × nepalensis Wall. ex Lindl., Bot. Reg. 10: t. 818 (1824)
भासमूल (Vasmool); German Iris
Perennial herbs. Native of Europe. Use(s): Medicine (rhizome, leaves), Ornamental.
Representative specimen: FM Bailey 66 (BM).
Iris pallida Lam., Encycl. 3: 294 (1789)
Sweet Iris
Perennial herbs. Native range is SW Europe. Use: Ornamental.
Iris pseudacorus L., Sp. Pl. 1: 38 (1753)
Yellow Iris
Perennial herbs. Native range is Europe to Caucasus, Mediterranean to Iran. Use: Ornamental.
Iris tectorum Maxim., Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg 15: 380 (1871)
Roof Iris
Rhizomatous perennial herbs. Native of E Asia. Use(s): Medicine, Ornamental.
Neomarica gracilis (Herb.) Sprague, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1928: 280 (1928)
Marica gracilis Herb., Bot. Mag. 66: t. 3713 (1839)
Walking Iris
Perennial herbs. Native of S America. Use: Ornamental.
Tritonia crocata (L.) Ker Gawl., Bot. Mag. 16: sub t. 581 (1802)
Ixia crocata L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 1: 52 (1762)
Perennial herbs. Native of S Africa. Use: Ornamental.