GERMAN IRIS – A NEW NATURALIzED SPECIES FOR SASKATCHEWAN Vladimir Kricsfalusy iris (I. variegate L.). It is believed that Plains, and from Eastern Canada to School of Environment and Sustainability German iris is the ancestor of many, Manitoba (Figure 1). NatureServe8 University of Saskatchewan if not most, of the modern bearded delineates the species distribution 117 Science Place irises that are so popular with range in North America that includes Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8 gardeners throughout the world.6 20 states of the U.S. and three [email protected] German iris has become provinces of Canada (NB, ON, and established all over the temperate MB). John Kindrachuk biome and can be found growing German iris is a rhizomatous, Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve on road shoulders, fields, old home perennial herb, growing to about Box 221 sites and waste areas throughout 100 cm high, forming a large clump Hafford, SK S0J 1A0 much of Europe and North America. to 30 cm wide (Figure 2). Rhizomes According to the database,7 are homogeneous, creeping on soil Introduction German iris naturalized in most surface or to 10 cm depth, usually The genus Iris L. in the Iridaceae parts of the U.S., except the Great many-branched, light brown, family includes about 260–300 species, many hybrids and cultivars.1 The genus name is derived from the Latin and Greek word “iris” which is usually interpreted as “rainbow” but also as “a sweet smelling plant.” Iris species are naturally distributed in temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere. Their habitats mainly include open grasslands, woodlands, mountainsides, deserts and sandy coastal areas.2 There are 34 species in the flora of North America3 and 17 in Canada,4 including both native and introduced. German iris, bearded iris or flag (Iris xgermanica L.) probably originated in central southern Europe and the Balkan Peninsula.5 This species is considered to be a natural and fertile hybrid between sweet iris (I. pallida Lam.) and Hungarian

FIGURE 1. Distrubution of German iris in North America (USDA, 2018). FIGURE 2. German iris in full bloom. Photo credit: Vladimir Kricsfalusy

winter 2018 volume 76.4 BLUE JAY 21 1.2-2 cm in diameter and smooth, and chronic diarrhea. German at the University of Saskatchewan) with nodal rings; branches may arise iris contains notable amounts of were studied as well. in the fan or as many as 15-20 nodes terpenes, and organic acids9. Because To develop a distribution map are produced prior to active leaves. of that, rhizomes can be toxic of German iris we followed the Stems are green, 2-3-branched, and may cause nausea, vomiting, approach suggested for mapping solid, 60-120 cm × 1–1.5 cm and diarrhea, and/or skin irritation.12 species of Saskatchewan flora.15 glaucous. Leaves are purplish at German iris includes hundreds of The grid template was divided base and folded midrib to base, cultivars and is extensively grown into quadrats of 50 km x 50 km. glaucous, ensiform, to 45 cm × 3.5 as ornamental plant in home and The information about habitat, cm. Inflorescences with terminal unit botanical gardens all over the world. vegetation cover, and site 2-3-flowered, branch units It is excellent for planting in borders, disturbances was collected during 1-2-flowered. Flowers are blue-violet, beds and foundation plantings. our field studies. Vegetation plot yellow, brown, or white with various This species can easily escape from (10 m x 10 m) was placed in the patterns of pigment distribution. cultivation. For this reason, it is often woodland patch where the German Seeds in two rows per locule, red- very difficult to distinguish between iris occurs. We recorded total per brown, oval, 3-4 mm, wrinkled. native populations and those cent cover for all vegetation layers, The iris (no particular species) naturalized from garden escapes. each plant species, and bare ground has been valued by humans since As mentioned earlier, German iris according to Daubenmire classes: ancient times. In Greece, iris was the is not indicated for Saskatchewan 1 = 0 – 5%, 2 = 5 – 25%, 3 = Greek goddess of the rainbow and a in major databases.7,8 However, messenger of the gods. The iris was the first naturalized location the symbol of royalty and priests in of German iris in the province medieval Europe. The three-parted has recently been reported in flower has been interpreted as literature.13,14 Nonetheless, existing reflecting the three virtues of faith, data about habitat requirements wisdom and courage.2 of German iris are very scarce, and German iris has traditionally been information about species ecology used for making a blend of herbs and population features is missing. and spices across the Middle East The purpose of this study is to and North Africa, primarily associated document a new location of German with Moroccan cuisine.9 Peeled iris in Saskatchewan and assess its rhizomes of the plant (orris-roots) habitat and population ecology, are used as flavouring in ice cream, verify existing information about the confectionery and baked goods. Orris species distribution in the province, is also an ingredient in many brands as well as evaluate species status of gin, including Bombay Sapphire based on exact data. and Magellan Gin.10 The aged rhizomes are steam-distilled, which Methods produces a thick oily compound Studies on population biology known in the perfume industry as of German iris and its habitat "iris butter" or orris oil.11 affinities were conducted in 2017 German iris was used in folk during the field surveys in Redberry medicine and also as a magical Lake Biosphere Reserve. The site plant (see comprehensive review by was revisited in 2018 to monitor Lim9). The root is diuretic, emetic, the species flowering success. expectorant and mildly purgative. As the source of species’ records Juice from the root is a powerful we used our field studies and cathartic and used for the treatment published information on flora of dropsy. Orris-root is also employed of Saskatchewan.14 Herbarium for complaints of the lungs, specimens of German iris deposited FIGURE 3. A distribution map of German iris in coughs and hoarseness, bronchitis at the SASK (W.P. Fraser Herbarium Saskatchewan. Species localities are shown in dots.

22 BLUE JAY Winter 2018 volume 76.4 25 – 50%, 4 = 50 – 75%, 5 = 75 – woodland quite vigorously (Figure 4). population age structure, dominance 95%, 6 = 95 – 100%. Disturbances We assessed this distribution of medium sized vegetative plants (litter, trampling, exotics, grazing, area of German iris during the field and low intensity of vegetative and burrowing) were estimated as surveys (Table 1). Plants were found spread (<1 m per year), German iris follows: 0 – absent, 1– light, 2 – in open and semi-shaded microsites can be classified as a naturalized moderate, 3 – severe. scattered across the aspen woodland, species. and nomenclature of vascular plants on fertile, dry to moist, and neutral We want to clarify that the term follow the VASCAN database.4 The sandy soil. The community canopy is ‘naturalized’ is not a synonym for average annual rate of species spread composed by a pure balsam poplar ‘invasive’. Unfortunately, some was calculated using distance‐based dominated upper and middle canopy scientific publications describing method. It was assessed by (Populus balsamifera L.). The shrub aspects of plant invasions have used measuring the distance between the layer tends to be dense and diverse. the terminology loosely and their lack first and most recent observation of The herbaceous layer is low and of rigour has led to confusion.17 To the species in the specific location. leaf litter covers much of the floor. become invasive, introduced plants Complete vegetation community must overcome barriers to dispersal Results and Discussion notes are reported in Table 1. within the new region, i.e. sexual Until recently, German iris has The distribution area of German or asexual spread and the distance. been recorded in Saskatchewan only iris consists of two patches located There is a general agreement17 that from one site, south of Cadillac.14 It about 15 m apart from each other. for introduced plants spreading is situated in the Mixed Grassland The extent of occurrence of the exclusively vegetatively, ‘6 m per 3 ecoregion of the Prairie Ecozone. population is approximately 56 m2. years’ could be used as a criterion According to Dan L. Johnson, the The size of the first, larger patch, is to classify it as an invasive species. author of this collection dating back 12 m2 and the second, smaller patch, Thus, German iris with self-sustaining to June 6, 2003, the population of is around 8 m2. We calculated the populations but low intensity of German iris is located at Auvergne- demographic structure of German vegetative spread should not be Wise Creek PFRA Pasture and iris for the entire population and considered as an invasive species. consists of about 25 individuals. It each patch separately (Table 2). The The obtained data show that the is established in well drained, rocky, age spectrum of this population can proportion of flowering plants in dry, native mixed grassland hilltop be identified as of normal type (i.e. the study population of German iris near a rock circle possibly indicating includes individuals of all life stages, substantially increased (from 15% an early homestead site. We visited following the classification suggested to 26%) with a larger patch size this site to verify its current status by Rabotnov16). Based on the (93 and 135 plants, respectively). A on June 11, 2018, however despite intense search efforts no plants of German iris were found there. During our field surveys in Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve (RLBR) in 2017, we discovered the second site with German iris in Saskatchewan, southeast of Hafford. It is situated in the Aspen Parkland ecoregion of the Prairie Ecozone. This distribution area was found just across the road from the Education Center of RLBR. According to the information provided by the Education Center, two small groups of German iris were planted there in 2000. Initially they were maintained, but later have escaped and continue FIGURE 4. A snapshot of German iris habitat (vicinity of Hafford, Saskatchewan). to grow and spread in the adjacent Photo credit: John Kindrachuk

winter 2018 volume 76.4 BLUE JAY 23 Table 1. Vegetation community with German iris (Poplar Woodland ecosite). large patch size may indicate more Phytosociological relevé favourable conditions for German Date & Observer: June 28, 2017; V. Kricsfalusy & S. Beever; Location: 11 km SE of Hafford, RM of iris. The larger patch was found Redberry No. 435; Ecoregion: Aspen Parkland (Hafford Plane ecodistrict); Soil: sand; Landform: recessional moraine; Elevation: cca 513 m; Area: 120 m2; Microtopography: S aspect, very gentle where vegetation is less dense and slope <3o; LSD: 8-14-37-5 W3; Coordinates: 52.71233 N 107.21527 W. with a higher proportion of bare Vegetation cover: total – 4 (50-75%), upper canopy – 2 (5-25%), middle canopy – 2 (5-25%), ground. A small patch size may understory – 4 (50-75%), ground – 3 (25-50%), bare ground – 2 (5-25%); Disturbances: litter – 2 (moderate), trampling – 1 (light), exotics – 1 (light), grazing – 0 (absent), burrowing – 0 (absent). have been negatively influenced by Balsam Poplar – Wolf-willow vegetation community taller vegetation and much denser understory cover. This shows the Layer Scientific name Common name (% cover) importance of habitat conditions Upper Canopy Trees for establishment and survival of Populus balsamifera balsam poplar 20 German iris. It may thrive in open Middle Canopy Small Trees (grassland) or semi-shade (light Populus balsamifera balsam poplar 10 woodland) habitat but be unable to Understory Shrubs tolerate shady and humid habitat Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon 2 (dense woodland and forest). Cornus sericea red-osier dogwood 5 To monitor the flowering success Elaeagnus commutata Wolf-willow 15 of German iris we revisited the study Cotoneaster laxiflorus black-fruit cotoneaster 10 site in 2018. It turns out that the Rosa woodsii Woods' rose 5 proportion of flowering plants in Salix bebbiana Bebb's willow 5 the population compared with the Shepherdia canadensis soapberry 10 previous year substantially decreased: Ground Forbs from 28 to nine plants (larger patch Achillea millefolium common yarrow 3 size) and from 12 to zero plants Astragalus flexuosus flexible milk vetch 10 Galium boreale northern bedstraw 7 (smaller patch size). It’s likely that Iris xgermanica German iris 2 this variation reflects environmental Maianthemum stellatum starry false Solomon's seal 2 factors such as resource limitation. Medicago sativa alfalfa 1 Many studies have demonstrated Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod 1 that flower number is subject to 18 Symphyotrichum laeve smooth blue aster 1 pollinator-mediated selection. Tanacetum vulgare common tansy 1 Our research provides useful Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 1 information about the habitat rhombifolia golden bean 10 requirements of German iris in Vicia americana American vetch 1 the Prairie Ecozone, particularly in Graminoids the light of vegetation dynamics Elymus canadensis Canada wildrye 1 in response to climate change. Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 2 According to the climate change scenario for Saskatchewan,19 the most significant impacts can be Table 2. Population demography of German iris. expected to occur at the interface of grassland with parkland and/or Population Size Number Generative Virginile Age ratio Spread parameters (m2) of plants plants (g) plants (v) (g : v) (m/year) forest. In these ecotone areas, the Extent of 46 228 40 188 1 : 5 < 0.2 drier open grassland ecosystem will occurrence expand at the expense of the more Patch 1 12 135 28 107 1 : 4 < 0.9 humid closed forest ecosystem. (6 x 2) These processes will likely create Patch 2 8 93 12 81 1 : 7 < 0.7 opportunities for expansion of (5 x 1.5) German iris due to more favourable Between 26 light regime in open communities, as patch area (15 x 1.7) well as the prolonged warm season, Note: generative (g) – ; virginile (v) – vegetative plant. increasing accumulation of heat

24 BLUE JAY Winter 2018 volume 76.4 and milder winters. At this point, by German iris to native flora and 11. Roger B, Jeannot V, Fernandez X et there is no concern with German vegetation are known. Monitoring al. (2012) Characterisation and quantifi cation of flavonoids in Iris germanica L. and iris becoming an invasive species in known populations would help to Iris pallida Lam. Resinoids from Marocco. Saskatchewan. However, in some determine whether this species is Phytochem. Anal. 23(5):450–455. parts of the world it is listed under spreading or declining. 12. Kingsbury JM (1964) Poisonous plants of asset-based management category, the United States and Canada. Prentice-Hall which is a low priority for action, Acknowledgements Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 626 pp. except in the protection of high value We appreciate assistance provided 20 13. Harms VL (2006) Annotated catalogue biodiversity or agricultural assets. by Dan L. Johnson, Professor at the of Saskatchewan vascular plants. W.P. Fraser Thus, ecological monitoring University of Lethbridge, in locating Herbarium, University of Saskatchewan. of range extension in German German iris site in the vicinity of Saskatoon, SK. 116 pp. Available from www. iris can help to follow trends and Cadillac. We thank Scott Beever, parc.ca/saskflora/info/index.html (Accessed: developments in the numbers, spread MSEM student in the School of May 16, 2012). and naturalization of this plant across Environment and Sustainability at the 14. Harms VL, Leighton AL (2011) Flora of the Saskatchewan. The current University of Saskatchewan, for help Saskatchewan. Fascicle 2. Lilies, irises and findings allow us to recognise the with the field work. The authors are orchids. Flora of Saskatchewan Association and Nature Saskatchewan, Regina, SK. status of German iris as a naturalized grateful to anonymous reviewers for 184 pp. species in the province. Thus far, no their valuable feedback. 15. Kricsfalusy V, Li M, Gupta C (2015) Using immediate negative impacts caused multiple data sources on species distribution 1. Manning J, Goldblatt P (2008) The Iris by this species to native flora and for biodiversity assessment: The prairie family: natural history and classification. vegetation are known. crocus (Anemone patens) as a case study. Timber Press, Portland, OR. 336 pp. Given that the newly discovered Blue Jay 73(3):102–122. 2. Small E (2015) Top Canadian ornamental population of German iris is located 16. Rabotnov TA (1985) Dynamics of plant plants. 10. Iris. Can. Bot. Assoc. Bull. (CBA/ next to the Education Center at coenotic populations. In: White J (ed.). ABC) 48(1):9-19. Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve, it The Population structure of vegetation, p. creates an excellent opportunity for 3. Henderson NC (2007) Iris L. – In: Flora 121–142. Dr W. Junk Publishers. of North America, Vol. 26. www.efloras. Dordrecht, NL. establishing long-term ecological org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_ monitoring, particularly the species’ id=116503 (Accessed: February 19, 2018). 17. Richardson DM, Pyšek P, Rejmánek M flowering success and its speed of et al. (2000) Naturalization and invasion of 4. Brouillet L, Coursol F, Meades SJ et al. alien plants: concepts and definitions. Divers. spread within the area. This may (2010) VASCAN, the database of vascular Distrib. 6:93–107. engage volunteer participants, e.g. plants of Canada. http://data.canadensys. students from the local school, net/vascan/ (Accessed: February 19, 2018). 18. Chapurlat E, Ågren J, Sletvold N (2015) Spatial variation in pollinator-mediated in scientific research and increase 5. Henderson NC (1992) What is Iris selection on phenology, floral display and efficiency of data collection. This germanica? Bull. Amer. Iris Soc. 286:6-11. spur length in the orchid Gymnadenia conopsea. New Phytologist, 208:1264–1275. in turn will contribute to further 6. American Iris Society (2011) http://www. development of citizen science in irises.org/ (Accessed: February 19, 2018). 19. Sauchyn D, Barrow E, Fang X et al. the biosphere region. According to 7. USDA (2018) The PLANTS (2009) Saskatchewan’s natural capital in a 21 the recent studies, participatory database. https://plants.usda.gov/core/ changing climate: an assessment of impacts approaches combined with profile?symbol=IRGE (Accessed: February 19, and adaptation. Saskatchewan Ministry of 2018). Environment – Prairie Adaptation Research professional support and coordination Collaborative. Regina, SK. 162 pp. comprise a highly effective way 8. NatureServe (2016) NatureServe Explorer: for monitoring biodiversity and An online encyclopedia of life [web 20. Invasive Species Action Plan (2015) Nillumbik Shire Council. Greensborough, conservation interventions. application]. NatureServe, Arlington, VI. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org VIC. 51 pp. Available from www.nillumbik. (Accessed: February 19, 2018). vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/.../invasive- Conclusions species-action-plan.pdf (Accessed: May 16, German iris is widely grown as a 9. Lim TK (2016) Edible medicinal and non- 2012). medicinal plants. Vol 11. Modified stems, garden ornamental in Saskatchewan. roots, bulbs. New Delhi, India. 392 pp. 21. Sutherland WJ, Roy DB, Amano T (2015) This species has recently become Agenda for the future of biological recording 10. Bacardi Limited (2018) Bombay Sapphire naturalized in two locations within for ecological monitoring and citizen science. – the world's #1 premium gin. www. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 115:779–784. the Prairie Ecozone. Thus far, no bacardilimited.com/our-brands/bombay- immediate negative impacts caused sapphire/ (Accessed: February 19, 2018).

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