Biology of flowering and insect visitors of Iris aphylla L. (Iridaceae)

Abstract

The marginal character of the I. aphylla populations, their spatial isolation, and the isolated 'island' localities (valley slopes, mineral islands surrounded by a peat bog) determine the varying characteristics of these populations (Franszczak-Być and Dąbrowska, 1993;Czarnecka, 1994;Wróblewska, 2003). Marginal populations naturally tend to become rare and endangered. They are usually described as populations with persistent low abundance, poor flowering, sparse fruiting, evident dominance of vegetative reproduction, or low phenotypic and genotypic variability (Mitka, 1997;Wróblewska, 2003Wróblewska, , 2008.All populations of I. aphylla in Wyżyna Lubelska Upland (central-eastern Poland) have been analysed since 1989 for determination of the species biology, phenology, abundance, and density as well as their ecological structure and contribution to the structure of xerothermic grasslands (Franszczak-Być and Dąbrowska, 1993;Czarnecka, 1994;Dąbrowska et al., 1998). Since 1991, integrated ex situ and in situ protection measures have been implemented. These measures include creation of conservation collections at the Botanical Garden of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, strengthening small-sized populations, restoration of historical localities, and improvement of habitat conditions (Dąbrowska et al., 2000;Kwiatkowski et al., 2004).All leafless iris populations in Wyżyna Lubelska Upland exhibit characteristic traits of a marginal population, i.e. sparse flowering and fruiting and clear dominance of Research ArticleThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Determination of the Influence of Mechanical Properties of Capsules and Seeds on the Susceptibility to Feeding of Mononychus pubctumalbum in Endangered Plant Species Iris aphylla L. and Iris sibirica L.

“…The attractive and fragrant I. aphylla flowers are the only source of nutrients and a mating site for the beetle, which is unable to damage the seeds. The observations showed that I. aphylla was the first to start flowering, i.e., in the first half of May [ 34 ]. In turn, I. sibirica flowered in the second half of the month.…”

“…The following parameters of the species were assessed in the experiment: The observations showed that I. aphylla was the first to start flowering, i.e., in the first half of May [34]. In turn, I. sibirica flowered in the second half of the month.…”

In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation of Ornamental Geophytes in Poland

“…In 2003, there were only 8 populations in natural sites in Poland, 4 of which were reintroduced [38]. The most recent reports state that there are 10 such sites, mainly located in the Małopolska Upland, Lublin Upland and Biebrza National Park [39]. Natural succession, consisting of heavy overgrowth by trees and shrubs, is cited as the cause of its habitat destruction [38].…”

Ökologische Untersuchungen an Iris aphylla L. im Osthuy nordwestlich von Halberstadt (Landkreis Harz)

“…Positiv zu erwähnen ist die Tatsache, dass viele durchschnittlich erfasste Merkmalswerte (z. B. für Wuchshöhe, Länge der Blätter, Anzahl und Länge der Blüten) von I. aphylla mit denen in der Literatur(Cassidy & Linnegar 1987, Bricknell 1994, Dykes 2015, Jäger 2017, Dąbrowska et al 2019) übereinstimmten, sodass das Wachstum und die Fitness der Individuen als optimal angesehen werden können.Iris aphylla ist ein Rhizom-Hemikryptophyt(Jäger 2017), sodass sich die Art einerseits vegetativ reproduzieren und andererseits Nährstoffe effizient speichern kann, was mit einer hohen Lebensdauer und einer damit verbundenen standörtlichen Treue einhergehen könnte. Hinzu kommt, dass im ‚Rothmaler' bei I. aphylla die Zeigerwertzahlen für Feuchtigkeit (3), Reaktion…”