IRIS GERMANICA: CHARACTERISTICS, FLOWERING, CARE, PROPERTIES - BIOLOGY - 2024

Germanic iris is a perennial monocot species grown as an ornamental plant that belongs to the Iridaceae family. Known as bearded iris, blue lily, bearded lily, blue lily, common lily, purple lily, or paschal lily, it is a species native to Central Europe.

It is a low-growing herbaceous plant with leafy stems that develops rhizomes or underground bulbs that store water and nutrients. The long basal leaves emerge from the bulb and the inflorescences grow from a flowering peduncle that groups 3-6 purple or purple flowers.

Iris germanica. Source: Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, Colombia

Each actinomorphic flower is made up of three ovate sepals folded in front, and three firm petals that cover the reproductive organs of the flower. Flowering occurs from spring to late summer.

Its main attraction is the decorative effect of its flowers, which vary from white and blue to various shades of lavender and purple. It is grown individually or in groups in gardens, beds, slopes or rockery, even on the banks of streams, ponds or water gardens.

General characteristics

Appearance

It is a rhizomatous or bulbous herbaceous plant with erect, smooth and bright green stems that reach 50-60 cm in height. Long hollow or solid flower stalks develop at the base of the stem, which can be simple or branched.

Leaves

The lanceolate basal leaves are scattered from 3 to 11 linear leaflets along the floral stem. They are smooth in texture, light green in color and have parallel veins, measuring 40-50 cm in length by 3-4 cm in width.

flowers

The flowers are grouped in 3-6 units in terminal fan-shaped inflorescences at the end of a long floral scape. Each flower is made up of 3 sepals and 3 petals, curved or erect, 8-12 cm long by 5-6 cm wide, with blue or purple tones.

Leaves of Iris germanica. Source: pixabay.com

Fruit

The fruit is an indehiscent capsule of a few millimeters, elongated and angular. Inside it contains several dark brown, globular and wrinkled seeds.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Liliopsida

- Order: Asparagales

- Family: Iridaceae

- Subfamily: Iridoideae

- Tribe: Irideae

- Genus: Iris

- Species: Germanic Iris L.

Etymology

- Iris: the name of the genus comes from the term "Iris", name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow, granted by the diversity of colors of its flowers.

- Germanica: the specific adjective is related to the geographical origin of the species.

Flowering

Flowering occurs from early spring to mid-summer. In each floral scape, 3 to 6 blue-purple or blue-violet flowers are formed with a dense short yellow beard at the base of the tepals.

Various varieties have been developed from the Iris germanica species, such as the 'fall fiesta' or 'florentina' cultivars that present a wide range of colors. These cultivars can be white, yellow, orange, blue, purple or red in color, and can even be mottled or tinged.

Iris germanica flowers. Source: pixabay.com

Care

Sowing

One of the propagation techniques for the blue lily is through seeds obtained from commercial plantations. The seeds collected from wild plants are not very fertile, so an effective germination percentage is not guaranteed.

The seeds planted in a universal substrate under adequate conditions of humidity, temperature and lighting germinate 15-30 days after sowing. Seed propagation is a slow process that produces heterogeneous plants, its use is limited to research practices rather than commercial purposes.

Vegetative propagation by means of bulbs or rhizome divisions makes it possible to obtain homogeneous plants with the phenotypic characteristics of the mother plant. Generally, blue lilies propagated by bulbs or rhizomes bloom one year after planting, so it is recommended to establish planting during the spring.

For sowing, the bulbs or rhizomes obtained from productive plants, vigorous and free of pests or diseases, are planted in rooting beds or pots. It is recommended to use a fertile substrate and apply rooting phytohormones, maintain constant humidity and temperature until the flower stem sprouts.

Sowing / transplanting

Keeping in mind that the blue lily blooms in spring, new plantings are made in late spring or fall. Plants grown in pots can be transplanted every two years, to take advantage of the bulbs and shoots of their rhizomes.

Iris germanica culture. Source: I, KENPEI

Location

The blue lily requires fertile, deep and well-drained soils, as well as full sun exposure or 6-7 hours of direct sun exposure. It can be located in half shade, but never indoors, otherwise it will not bloom or the flowers will be very scarce.

Irrigation

Plants grown in pots require frequent watering, once or twice a week, avoiding waterlogging the substrate. Commercial plantations or plantings in parks and gardens are maintained with seasonal rainfall, in case of dry periods it can be watered once a week.

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The application of organic fertilizers is recommended when establishing the crop, avoiding the application of fertilizers with high nitrogen content. Indeed, nitrogen fertilizers increase the foliar area, but can generate a greater susceptibility to bacterial diseases.

Pruning

Maintenance and sanitation pruning can be done after flowering. It is not advisable to remove the leaves unless they are wilted or damaged, as they protect and nourish the plant during its development for the next season.

Rusticity

The blue lily is a species tolerant to cold and occasional frosts down to -15 ºC. In fact, it can be kept outside all year round.

Illustration of Iris germanica. Source: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen

Plagues and diseases

Adverse conditions favored by high temperatures and very humid environments are conducive to the incidence of various pests and diseases.

Pests

- Aphids (Aphis gossypii): they suck the sap from flower buds, withering and weakening the plants. Its control is carried out by biological methods and using adhesive anti-aphid traps.

- Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis): small biting-sucking biting insects that feed on young leaves. Its attack causes brown spots on leaves and flower buds, affecting the commercial quality of the crop.

- Nematodes (Ditylenchus sp. And Meloidogyne sp.): The main damage affects the rhizomes and young shoots. The infestation begins at the base of the bulb and spreads to the foliage of the plant. Severe attacks can kill the plant.

Diseases

- Botrytis or gray mold (Botrytis cinerea): occurs in humid and warm environments. Symptoms manifest as reddish pustules on senescent tissues or wounds caused by physical damage.

- Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum): phytopathogenic fungus that initially causes a reddish-brown rot in bulbs and rhizomes. Later, there is general chlorosis and wilting of the leaves, general weakness and death of the plant.

- Rust (Puccinia sp.): The first symptoms appear as small yellow pustules on the upper part of the leaves. As the disease progresses, pinkish spots develop on the underside that later turn whitish.

Iris germanica used in gardening. Source: AfroBrazilian

Properties

Medicinal

The leaves of the blue lily contain various active ingredients that provide certain medicinal properties. Among them essential oils, organic acids, ketones, phytosterols, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, mucilages and mineral salts that provide anti-inflammatory, expectorant, demulcent, diuretic and moisturizing action.

Its consumption is indicated in case of asthma attacks, bronchitis, intestinal spasms, stomatitis or ulcers in the mouth. Used as a concentrated decoction it is used as an effective purgative. In some people it can cause nausea and vomiting or dermatitis on the slightest contact.

Ornamental

The blue lily is an ornamental plant with very attractive flowers that is used to decorate parks and gardens by forming borders or terraces. It can be grown in pots or planters in association with other similar species, such as tulips.

References

1. Buschman, JCM (2017). The iris as a cut flower. International Center for Flower Bulbs. 2180 AD Hillegom-Holland.
2. Chen, C., Bi, X., & Lu, M. (2010). Tissue culture and rapid propagation of Iris germanica L. Journal of Shenyang Agricultural University, 41 (1), 27-32.
3. Iris germanica. (2019) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
4. Iris germanica (2011) Plants and Garden. Recovered in: Plantasyjardin.com
5. The cultivation of Iris (2019) Copyright Infoagro Systems, SL Recovered in: infoagro.com
6. Sánchez, M. (2018) Iris germanica, the common lily of the gardens. Gardening On. Recovered in: jardineriaon.com
7. Pilon, P. (2010) Iris germanica. Perennial Solutions. Culture Connection, pp. 34-35.