- Black Iris
Taxobox
name = "Black Iris"
image_width = 240px
image_caption = Iris nigricans inJordan
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo =Asparagales
familia =Iridaceae
subfamilia =Iridoideae
tribus =Irideae
genus = "Iris"
subgenus = "Limniris "
section = "Limniris"
species = "I. chrysographes"
binomial = "Iris chrysographes"
binomial_authority = DykesBlack Iris ("Iris chrysographes") is a
plant species that belongs to thegenus Iris. It is native to SChina andMyanmar (Burma), growing in meadows, stramsides, hillsides and forest margins. The species was originally collected byErnest Wilson inSichuan in 1908.Other irises known as the Black Iris include "
Iris nigricans " which is thenational flower ofJordan , "Iris petrana " which also grows in Jordan, and "Iris susiana ".Classification
Horticultural classification: Sino-Siberian Iris, Beardless Iris.
Description
Herbaceous perennial with creeping rhizomes. Leaves linear and grayish green, to 70 cm long. Flowering stems 25-50 cm, hollow. Flowers reddish violet to very dark violet, almost velvety black, 6-9 cm in diameter, outer
tepals usually with golden yellow stripes. Deliciously fragrant. Flowers in June to July.Cultivation
"I. chrysographes" is easily cultivated and requires a fertile soil which does not dry out during the growth period. Grow in full sun. Hardy to USDA zone 4. Propagation by seeds or division in the spring. Cultivars must be divided. For cooler areas plants do best if planted in the spring.
Cultivars
Some cultivars are grown, mainly "black" flowered clones under names as 'Black Beauty', 'Black Knight', 'Black' (syn. 'Black Form', an invalid name), 'Ellenbank Nightshade', [http://www.stauder.net/bildearkiv/Iris%20chrysographes.jpg'Stjerneskud'] and 'Kew Black'. [http://planteliste.net/slides/iris_chrysographes_rubella.html 'Rubella'] is purplish violet."Iris chrysographes" has been used in a number of hybrids with other species.
References
*Iris species database http://www.badbear.com/signa/signa.pl?Iris-chrysographes
*Flora of China http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200028158
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