Iris furcata

Iris furcata is similar in form and flower colour to Iris aphylla. Apart from the difference in stems, in Iris furcata it branches from near to the middle of the stem, where as Iris aphylla does not branch. It has a short, creeping rhizome, that is 2 cm long and fibrous. They creep across the surface of the ground. It has short, linear, ensiform (sword shaped) leaves. The slender, leaves can grow up to 20 cm (8 in) long. and between 0.5 and 1 cm wide. Normally, about 15mm wide. They more slender than Iris aphylla. It has a slender stem, or peduncle, that can grow up to between 15–50 cm (6–20 in) tall. It has branched stem, that branches usually from above the middle of the stem. The stem is shorter and more slender than Iris aphylla. The stem has green, inflated, ovate or oblong, spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that sometimes has purple veins. The stems (and the many branches) hold between flowers in early spring, or late spring and early summer, or May. The flowers are smaller than Iris aphylla, about 3–4 cm (1–2 in) long. They come in shades of purple, deep purple, blue-violet, light blue or violet. Like other irises, it has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'. The falls have an obovate blade and narrow claw. In the centre of the fall is a beard. …

It is found in the Caucasus mountains, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Within (the former southern Russian states,) countries of Moldovia and Ukraine. It has also been found in Lazistan in Georgia, with Iris taochia, It is found in the Caucasus with other mountain flora including Anemone fasciculata, Anemone raminculoides, Caltha popypetala, Veratium lobelianum, Palsatilla armena, Corydalis persica, Fritilaria caucasica, Betonica grandiflora, Prunus spinosa, Sedum pilosum, Sempervivum transcaucasicum, Malus orientalis and Pyrus caucasicus.

It is cold hardy. Can also tolerate conditions in St. Petersburg, Russia. It prefers to grow in well-drained soil, and can tolerate alkaline soils. It can also be grown in peat soils. It prefers to be kept dry during summer. The iris is prone to virus in damp conditions. It also prefers to be situated in positions in light shade. It can be grown in rockeries. It is prone to slug or snail damage. It was grown in Dorpat, Russia in 1820, then in 1838 in the Imperial Botanical Garden of St. Petersburg. It was grown in the Botanical Garden of Moscow in 1948. It is also cultivated in Stavropol. It is also grown in the Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden in Turkey. It is mostly grown by collectors and iris enthusiasts.

Hybrids and cultivars. Iris furcata was used in iris breeding programmes, to create smaller sized irises and better branching.