Iris sintenisii

Appearance

''Iris sintenisii'' is intermediate in appearance and form between ''Iris graminea'' and a small ''Iris spuria''.

It has thin , wiry , short rhizomes.
That are covered with the brown, fibrous remains of the last seasons leaves.
Over time it forms many branches to create a tight clumps or tussocks.

It has linear, glaucous green to dark green, rigid, acuminate , grass-like leaves. They are often described as evergreen. They have clear pronounced veins. They can grow up to between 10–50 cm long, and 0.3–0.5 cm wide. The leaves often exceed the height of the flower stems.

''Iris sintenisii'' is smaller than ''Iris graminea''.
It has cylindrical or slightly compressed, unbranched stems.
They can grow up to between 10–40 cm long.

The stems have 2-3, green spathes, , that are 3.5-7.5 cm long.
The leaves are all keeled. The inner leaves are slightly longer the outer leaves.

The stems or peduncle hold 1 or 2, terminal flowers, between late spring and summer, between June and July.

The flowers are similar in form to ''Iris graminea'' but in different shades of colour.
The flowers are not scented, and can be up 5–6 cm in diameter, and come in shades of violet-blue, blue-purple, blue, purple, and violet.

It has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals , known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals . They have a rounded or ovate/elliptic blade, measuring 1.3–1.4 cm long and 0.9–1.3 cm wide. Then they have a narrowing before a long oval haft , measuring 2.5–3 cm long and 0.3–0.5 cm wide. The haft is veined with red-purple.
They are white or cream, heavily veined violet-blue or purple.

It has single coloured , upright standards that are oblanceolate and 3–4 cm long and 0.4–0.5 cm wide.

It has single coloured , style branches, that are 2.6–2.8 cm long and 0.5–0.6 cm wide, with recurved lobes. It has a small slender ovary 1–2 cm long, with a slender beak. It also has small, triangular crests.

This iris is uniquely pollinated by ants, as the flowers secrete nectar at the base of the petals.

After the iris has flowered, it produces an oblong, seed capsule, 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide. It also has a slender beak appendage up to 2 cm long.

Distribution

Iris sintenisii is native to temperate regions of Asia Minor, and eastern Europe and south eastern Europe.

Habitat

Iris sintenisii is native to temperate regions of Asia Minor, and eastern Europe and south eastern Europe.Iris sintenisii grows in dry grass meadows , on scrubland, and at the edges of forests.

It can be found at altitudes of between 900-1500m above sea level.

It can though be difficult to spot within meadows, after flowering as the leaves are very grass-like.

Defense

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous , if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.