Copper iris (Iris fulvala)

Description

Iris fulva (also known as copper iris) is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Limniris and in the Hexagonae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the southern and central United States, it has copper-red to deep red flowers and bright green leaves. Iris fulva has slender greenish-brown rhizome (or occasionally red) that has the (ring-like) scars of old leaves (from previous seasons). They are approximately 1.5–2 cm in diameter, shallow rooted with fibrous roots underneath and can form many branches. Which eventually spread out to create large clumps around 1–2 feet wide. It grows new leaves early in the autumn, which can pass through the winter into the spring. This means that the plant is generally only leafless around August time. The leaves are bright green, blade-like (meaning long and narrow), lightly ribbed (parallel to the stem) and rise from the base of the plant but then arch away from the stem. They can measure between 60–100 cm (2 ft 0 in–3 ft 3 in) long, and between 1–2 cm (½ to 1 inch) wide. It was noted by Dykes, that when held up the light, the leaves have black dots, which are similar to water-irises leaves. Some leaves emerge along the flower stem (which is known as cauline in botany terms). The flower stem is generally straight with 1 or 2 branches (or joints), and can reach up to a height of between 45–80 cm (18–31 in). tall. The stem is mid-green in colour, with 1-3 alternate leaves rising along the stem, that are very similar (but smaller) to the basal leaves. It normally flowers between spring and early summer, between April and June, with 1 or 2 flowers per axil of each alternate leaf along the stem. There can be as many as 4-6 (occasionally more) flowers per stem. In Australia and New Zealand, they bloom between September and November. The blooming period lasts for about 3 weeks. Although the individual flowers are fairly short-lived (lasting for about 1–4 days). The flowers are slightly fragrant, and come in a range of shades of red, from copper-red (reddish orange to brownish orange), to brick-red, to rust-red, to deep red, and bronze. Occasionally there are yellow flowered forms. Unlike many other irises, the flower on the falls and standards are the same colour. It has a 2–2.5 cm perianth tube. Iris fulva is unusual, as its 6 petalled flowers, all droop away from the middle section. The flowers are wide spread, have 3 drooping falls (or sepals), which are 1–1.25 in (2.5–3.2 cm) wide and 2.25–2.5 in (5.7–6.4 cm) long, and 3 drooping standards (or petals), which are 4.5 cm long and 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) across. The base of each flower is tubular and has a yellowish centre. The flower has short styles (female parts) which are about 2 cm long. Inside the flower, the stigma has two small pointed teeth (or lobes). The filaments (stalks holding the anther) are yellow, the anthers are cream, reaching the stigma, the pollen is cream. Iris brevicaulis and Iris fulva share very similar looking seed-pods (capsules) and seeds. The green capsules are 6-angled (hexagonal in cross-section), elliptical to oval (in shape) measuring between 4.5–8 cm (1.8–3.1 in) long by 2.5 cm (0.98 in) wide. The seeds are stored in 2 rows within the capsules.The seeds are flat and irregular (in shape), measuring 10-15mm wide. Like other Louisiana irises they are covered in a cork-like substance, which allows them to float on the water (within the swamp habitats) to new locations.