Research Article |
Corresponding author: Anton Issa Khalilieh ( anton@naturepalestine.org ) Academic editor: Silvia Del Vecchio
© 2024 Johann Gabriel Gedeon, Anton Issa Khalilieh.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Gedeon JG, Khalilieh AI (2024) Shedding light on the geographical distribution, population size and inflorescence coloration variety of Royal Irises (Iris section Oncocyclus) family in West Bank, Palestine. Plant Sociology 61(2): 49-71. https://doi.org/10.3897/pls2024612/04
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Palestine has rich floristic diversity due to its location, diverse biogeographical zones, and various topographical features. The Royal Irises (Iris section Oncocyclus), are a monophyletic group of herbaceous geophytes, consisting of 33 species, endemic to the Middle East. Within the West Bank of Palestine, three Royal Irises are documented. However, their distribution, population size, and status are not studied comprehensively. This study focused on evaluating the occurrence, distribution range, population size, status, number of flowers, inflorescence coloration variety, and habitats of the vulnerable and endemic Iris haynei, the endangered and sub-endemic Iris lortetii, and the vulnerable and sub-endemic Iris atrofusca. I. lortetii was found in 10 sites within Nablus district, with more than 12625 clones and 25088 flowers flowers recorded. I. haynei were documented in 4 sites within Jenin district, three are new to science, where 10729 clones and 9562 flowers were recorded. I. atrofusca was reported in 13 localities in Tubas and Ramallah districts, where 1853 clones and 8460 flowers were recorded, whereas six locatities are new to science. 12, 12, and 7 unique variations in coloration of inflorescences were observed for I. lortetii, I. atrofusca, and I. haynei, respectively. The results indicate that the population size and the distribution range of the three Royal Irises are larger than previously reported, whereas the documented inflorescences’ coloration variations are unique and considerable. This study sheds light on hotspot occurrence sites of endangered and vulnerable species in Palestine, which can assist in laying adequate conservation actions and management plans in the future.
Anthropogenic effects, Conservation, Distribution map, Endangered, Endemic, Geophyte, Iris, Mediterranean basin, Vulnerable
Palestine is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin hotspot within the Orontes Valley and Levantine Mountains corridor hotspot (
Despite its relatively small area (5856 km2), about 1612 vascular plant species have been recorded in the West Bank alone, belonging to 117 families, of which thirteen species (0.81%) are endemic (Shmida 1984;
Royal Irises (Iris section Oncocyclus) of the family Iridaceae L. (2n = 20 chromosomes) are a monophyletic young group of herbaceous geophytes, consisting of 33 species endemics to the Middle East. They serve as models for the evolutionary processes of speciation and pollination ecology (
I. lortetii inhabits semi-to-dry rocky garrigue areas in south Lebanon, upper Galilee, and Nablus hills with a limited and scattered distribution range of 220 km2 (
An extensive Royal Irises survey was conducted in the north-central region within Nablus, Tubas, Jenin, and Ramallah districts, where more than 355 km2 (355000 dunam; 1 dunam = 0.1 hectare = 0.001 km2) were explored. The focus of the study was on areas previously identified within the potential geographical distribution range of the I. haynei, I. lortetii, and I. atrofusca (Fig.
A. Study areas of I. atrofusca, I. haynei, and I. lortetii species which consisted of 355 km2 in the northeastern region of the West Bank of Palestine. The study area of I. atrofusca covers the middle-central parts of Tubas district as well as the site of Taybeh village in the east-south of Ramallah district. The study area of I. lortetti is located in the east-central parts of the Nablus district, while the study area of I. haynei is located in the south-eastern part of Jenin district as well as the site of Faqqua-Jalboun area in the east-northern part of Jenin district. B. Distribution of I. atrofusca, I. lortetii, and I. haynei within the studied areas, in addition, the name and location of each locality is indicated.
A comprehensive active survey was conducted during the spring seasons of the years 2020 and 2021 for I. atrofusca, while for the I. lortetii and I. haynei, the survey was carried out during the spring season of 2023. All field surveys were conducted during the flowering period of the three Iris species that extend between the end of February and April (
Endemism was applied to those taxa e.g. I. haynei whose area of distribution is restricted to one biogeographical unit (Palestine) (see discussion in
The specific habitat and some of its distinct vegetation within each explored site holding the royal Irises was examined and described. To cover the largest possible area within the shortest time, binoculars (Swarovski EL 8.5*42, Swarovski Optik, Absam, Tyrol, Austria) and telescopes (Swarovski 65 mm, 20–60×, Swarovski Optik, Absam, Tyrol, Austria) were used to explore potential sites from a distance (200 m – 1 km) to locate the species. When a clone (fan-like cluster of leaves; for instance, I. lortetii has a fan-like cluster of 6–8 leaves) or a clump of Royal Irises were observed, the site was actively searched. Moreover, GPS coordinates in the form of latitude and longitude were taken (in Decimal Degrees, DD), number of clumps, clones, and flowers of Royal Irises were counted and documented. The data underpinning the analysis reported in this paper (Inflorescence Color Variations of the three Royal Irises) are deposited at “Data repository” at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26485783.
When a unique color for any inflorescence was observed, the color variance is described on site. Several photographs of each color variance were taken for further examination. Anthropogenic and environmental threats causing negative impacts on the Royal Irises were recorded as well. Geographic Information System (GIS) software and Google Earth were used to determine the distribution range of recorded clones, to generate the delineation for each site, and to generate maps. In many cases, the documented clones aggregated in small patches or areas, therefore GPS coordinates for each identified clone were impossible to measure, as the best accuracy obtained in the field was about 3.4 m. Therefore, the number of GPS points represents, in most cases, the number of clumps. Consequently, the number of identified clones exceeded in several folds (in most cases) the number of recorded GPS coordinates (see results section for more details). The field survey was performed by three to twelve individuals, including team leaders. The team was divided into two to four groups, where each investigated area was divided into several small sites (depending on the total area under investigation and the number of surveyors), and each group of volunteers was assigned a specific site to ensure the coverage of the whole area, and to avoid duplication of records.
I. lortetii Barbey (Nablus’ Iris) is a sub-endemic (
I. atrofusca Baker (Shafa Al-Ghor Iris), is a sub-endemic (
The third investigated Royal Iris is Iris haynei Baker (Faqqua Iris), an endemic (
The floristic survey was conducted on a total area of 355 km2, in the north-central parts of the West Bank, within Jenin, Tubas, Nablus, and Ramallah districts. The results and findings are summarized below:
1.1 Iris lortetii
Populations of Iris lortetii were documented in 1.36 km2, distributed into ten sites, ranging from 0.981 dunams (0.000981 km2) within Al Bathan I site to 910.8 dunams (0.9108 km2) within Yasid site (Table
Study sites of I. lortetii species, coordinates, area, number of clumps, counted clones and flowers.
No | Site | Area (Dunams)- km2 | Longitude, Latitude | # of clumps | # of clones | # of flowers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yasid | 910.808- (0.910808 km2) | 35.30021, 32.302374 | 1114 | 5714 | 6402 |
2 | Aqraba I | 201.187- (0.201187 km2) | 35.35993, 32.108571 | 511 | 783 | 3119 |
3 | Usarin | 68.278- (0.068278 km2) | 35.30282, 32.121521 | 573 | 3012 | 4976 |
4 | Aqraba II | 67.958- (0.067958 km2) | 35.369195, 32.130855 | 543 | 1845 | 8593 |
5 | Jabal Nablus | 66.329- (0.066329 km2) | 35.27485, 32.223197 | 225 | 1080 | 1592 |
6 | Beit Dajan | 22.66- (0.02266 km2) | 35.397564, 32.190789 | 76 | 111 | 198 |
7 | Aqraba III | 12.648- (0.012648 km2) | 35.35210, 32.134567 | 31 | 37 | 98 |
8 | Majdal Bani Fadel | 6.514- (0.006514 km2) | 35.35767, 32.073482 | 28 | 31 | 76 |
9 | Al Bathan I | 3.094- (0.003094 km2) | 35.330517, 32.254045 | 6 | 11 | 34 |
10 | Al Bathan II | 0.981- (0.000981 km2) | 35.365886, 32.230081 | 2 | 5 | |
Total | 1360- (1.36 km2) | 3107 | 12624 | 25088 |
Iris lortetii variations in coloration of inflorescence, with a description of color variation and its spatial location.
No | Description of variation in coloration of inflorescences | Latitude, Longitude |
---|---|---|
1 | Brown fall sepals which are adorned with numerous maroon spots and pale lilac standard petals ** | 32.076481, 35.356396 |
2 (A) | Lilac standard petals with sepia veins; brown fall sepals that are heavily adorned with burnt umber spots, as well as tinged red inner canals* | 32.105827, 35.36034 |
3 | Very light heliotrope standard petals with cinnamon brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with sangria dots** | 32.109192, 35.360042 |
4 (B) | Pale rosy standard petals with light brownish background which is heavily adorned by reddish brown dots* | 32.120067, 35.302369 |
5 | Light lilac standard petals with very light brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with brown dots | 32.120094, 35.302956 |
6 | Yellow standard petals with pastel orange fall sepals which are moderately adorned with maroon dots | 32.120117, 35.302333 |
7 (C) | Light lilac standard petals with medium brown fall sepals and very dark background beneath the beard, mildly adorned by maroon dots* | 32.120167, 35.302372 |
8 | Light lilac standard petals with very light brown yellow fall sepals which are heavily adorned with brown dots | 32.120182, 35.302349 |
9 | Light lilac standard petals with very light brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with very dark violet dots** | 32.1203, 35.302238 |
10 | Within the same clone there were flowers of light lilac standard petals and light purple fall sepals as well as light lilac standard petals and pink tinged with yellow fall sepals flower | 32.120317, 35.303283 |
11 | It is a typical Iris lortetii flower color, but its clone is relatively very tall reaching 65 cm | 32.120467, 35.303133 |
12 | Very light lilac standard petals that are tinted by brown at its base with orangish yellow fall sepals which are scarcely adorned with dots** | 32.1215, 35.303183 |
13 (D) | An off-white light pastel yellow standard petal, with very pale orange fall sepals adorned with minor spots* | 32.121511, 35.303167 |
14 | Lilac standard petals that are heavily veined with yellow veins, as well as to yellowish brown fall sepals that are adorned by brown spots | 32.121685, 35.303501 |
15 | Light lilac standard petals with light brown fall sepals that are heavily adorned with brown spots** | 32.121767, 35.303497 |
16 (E) | Light lilac standard petals with light lilac fall sepals, which are moderately adorned with dark purple dots upon a dark purple background* | 32.121769, 35.3035 |
17 | Light lilac standard petals with very light-yellow tinted with brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with brown dots | 32.122292, 35.30164 |
18 | Light lilac standard petals with light purple fall sepals that are adorned with maroon spots* | 32.122567, 35.30255 |
19 | Very light pink standard petals with very light yellow tinted with orange fall sepals which are mildly adorned with minute maroon dots** | 32.13089, 35.369011 |
20 | Very light lilac standard petals with light lilac fall sepals that are adorned with minor purplish dots | 32.131778, 35.369353 |
21 (F) | Light lilac standard petals with light purple fall sepals which are heavily adorned with maroon spots* | 32.131789, 35.368597 |
22 | Very light purple standard petals with cinnamon brown fall sepals, which are moderately adorned with royal maroon dots, having a very dark burgundy background beneath the beards and tunnel entrance | 32.131797, 35.369417 |
23 | Very light lilac standard petals with medium brownish fall sepals that are heavily adorned with purple dots** | 32.131805, 35.369427 |
24 | Very light lilac standard petals with medium brownish fall sepals that are adorned with minor purple spots | 32.131903, 35.3689 |
25 | Light heliotrope purple standard petals with brown fall sepals which are moderately adorned with sangria marron dots** | 32.132014, 35.369078 |
26 | Light pinkish lilac standard petals with brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with maroon dots** | 32.216022, 35.271748 |
27 (G) | Light lilac standard petals with lilac fall sepals that are tinted with brown and heavily adorned with dark amethyst dots | 32.222055, 35.278806 |
28 | Medium pastel lilac (Pantone) standard petals with light brownish fall sepals which are heavily adorned with dark maroon spots | 32.222355, 35.271603 |
29 | Light periwinkle lilac standard petals which are heavily veined with light brown fall sepals which are lightly adorned with chestnut brown dots** | 32.222358, 35.271539 |
30 | Light lilac standard petals with dark purple veins, which are mildly tinted brown at their base with very light caramel brown fall sepals that are heavily adorned with light brown coffee brown spots** | 32.222361, 35.271603 |
31 | Light lilac standard petals and light pastel brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with dark amethyst dots** | 32.222436, 35.2785 |
32 (H) | Light lavender lilac standard petals with very light pale chestnut fall sepals which are adorned with sangria dots* | 32.222447, 35.271408 |
33 | Very light lilac standard petals that are tinted with medium brown veins; very light sandy brown fall sepals which are moderately adorned with very dark brown spots** | 32.222518, 35.271957 |
34 | Very light lilac standard petals, which are tinted brown at their base with light pale chestnut fall sepals heavily adorned with sangria dots** | 32.222519, 35.271358 |
35 (I) | Very light lilac standard petals with very light cinnamon brown fall sepals which are mildly adorned with chestnut brown spots* | 32.2226, 35.272089 |
36 | Light lilac standard petals that are tinted with brown veins with light brown fall sepals, which are heavily adorned with dark purplish dots** | 32.22325, 35.277028 |
37 | Light lilac standard petals which are moderately tinted by pale yellowish brown at their base and light brown fall sepals which are heavily adorned with sangria dots | 32.223251, 35.277027 |
38 | Lilac standard petals with heliotrope purple fall sepals which are adorned with sangria dots** | 32.223343, 35.276718 |
39 | Light periwinkle lilac standard petals which are heavily veined with medium brownish fall sepals that are heavily adorned with chestnut brown dots** | 32.223381, 35.277494 |
40 | Pale lavender standard petals with very light brown fall sepals which are mildly adorned with dots** | 32.223386, 35.276483 |
41 | Light lilac standard petals with purple fall sepals which are adorned with dark amethyst dots** | 32.223411, 35.276542 |
42 | Light lilac standard petals with light pink fall sepals which are adorned with sangria dots** | 32.223528, 35.276853 |
43 | Light purple standard petals with orange veins and light brown fall sepals** | 32.223568, 35.276337 |
44 | Light lilac standard petals with heliotrope purple fall sepals which are adorned with dark purple dots** | 32.291477, 35.341309 |
45 | Lilac amethyst standard petals that have notable purple veins with brown background fall sepals which are heavily dotted with burnt umber dots** | 32.300201, 35.302105 |
46 (J) | Very light lilac amethyst standard petals with purple veins at the end and brown at the base of their venation and light brown background fall sepals which is moderately dotted with cinnamon brown dots* | 32.300209, 35.302132 |
47 (K) | Light lilac standard petals that have orange veins with pale orange fall sepals with dark orange background beneath the beard* | 32.300259, 35.302124 |
48 | Lilac amethyst standard petals with purple veins and brown background fall sepals which are heavily dotted with umber dots** | 32.30027, 35.302204 |
49 | Very light lilac mauve standard petals with light cinnamon brown fall sepals tinted with orange beneath the beard and lightly adorned with brownish dots** | 32.300301, 35.302101 |
50 | Light lilac standard petals with medium amethyst lilac fall sepals which are heavily adorned with sangria dots** | 32.300725, 35.296961 |
51 (L) | Amethyst purple standard petals tinted with brown veins at the base with spicy brown fall sepals, which are heavily adorned with sangria dots* | 32.305214, 35.291336 |
1.2 Iris atrofusca
Clones of I. atrofusca were found in 1.331 km2, distributed among thirteen sites, including the I. atrofusca Ex-situ conservation site that was established in 2021, which is located at the eastern part of Mount Tammoun nature reserve. The Ex-situ site includes 106 clumps that were translocated from different sites identified as threatened ones (Table
Study areas of I. atrofusca species; central GPS coordinates (in Decimal Degrees), total area, number of clumps, counted clones, and flowers.
No | Site Name | Area (Dunams)- km2 | Latitude, Longitude | # of clumps | # of clones | # of flowers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Khirbet Yarza I | 414.546- (0.414546 km2) | 32.29108, 35.448822 | 833 | 1018 | 6293 |
2 | Khirbet Yarza II | 492.641- (0.492641 km2) | 32.29869, 35.448809 | |||
3 | Khirbet Yarza III | 11.618- (0.011618 km2) | 32.313986, 35.465814 | |||
4 | Khirbet Yarza IV | 0.887- (0.000887 km2) | 32.305928, 35.455605 | |||
5 | Khirbet Ar-Ras al Ahmar | 279.371- (0.279371 km2) | 32.276278, 35.456899 | 126 | 342 | 735 |
6 | Hamam al Malih | 44.831- (0.044831 km2) | 32.32738, 35.478742 | 126 | 143 | 371 |
7 | Khirbet Samra | 0.931- (0.000931 km2) | 32.310811, 35.492787 | 3 | 17 | 20 |
8 | Taybeh I | 59.482- (0.059482 km2) | 31.912178, 35.331596 | 176 | 218 | 697 |
9 | Taybeh II | 6.975- (0.006975 km2) | 31.912227, 35.336104 | |||
10 | Wadi Firan | 0.171- (0.000171 km2) | 32.276788, 35.549023 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
11 | Khirbet Makhul I | 0.225- (0.000225 km2) | 32.284242, 35.511314 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
12 | Khirbet Makhul II | 2.005- (0.002005 km2) | 32.296504, 35.51824 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
13 | Jabal Tammoun | 14.545- (0.014545 km2) | 32.258630, 35.432075 | 106 | 106 | 295 |
Total | 1328.228- (1.328228 km2) | 1379 | 1853 | 8460 |
Iris atrofusca variations in coloration of inflorescence, with a description of color variation and its location.
No | Description of variation in coloration of inflorescences | Latitude, Longitude |
---|---|---|
1 | Dark brown-purple to nearly black fall sepals, ahead with yellowish hairs of beard. Its standard petals are incurved with dark purple radiating veins and dense dots. The species was found in Wadi Firan at elevation of 209 mbsl | 32.277061, 35.547375 |
2 (A) | White standard petals with light plumpish purple fall sepals that are heavily veined with plum purple veins | 32.29064, 35.45058 |
3 | Three different colors are detected within the same cluster of clones which display a white standard petal with light pastel orange fall sepal’s flower upon a white background, whereas on the same clone, it has another inflorescence with dark brown to nearly black fall sepals; while its standard petals are erectly incurved with dark purplish-brown radiating veins and dense dots. In addition, adjacent to them there is yet another color variation clone with dark purplish fall sepals and its standard petals are dark purple with radiating veins and dense dots. | 32.290709, 35.450457 |
4 | White standard petals with light pastel magenta fall sepals upon a white background, whereas in the same clone, there is dark brown-purple to nearly black fall sepals; its standard petals erectly incurved with dark purplish-brown to dark purple radiating veins and dense dots. | 32.290728, 35.450367 |
5 (B) | Pale yellow-orange fall sepals, with maximum purple standard petals which are tinted orange at their base with a dark brown background beneath an orangish beard | 32.299589, 35.447436 |
6 (C) | Light lilac standard petals accompanied by light sepia fall sepals with a black background beneath the beard | 32.299517, 35.451044 |
7 | Cerise standard petals accompanied by dark pink fall sepals with black background beneath the beard | 32.292731, 35.44871 |
8 (D) | Off- White standard petals which are heavily veined with caramel veins with brunette fall sepals | 32.258559, 35.432473 |
9 (E) | Boysenberry standards petals which are heavily veined with black fall sepals | 32.300137, 35.451813 |
10 (F) | Off- White standard petals which are heavily veined by russet veins and tinted apricot shade at the base with burnt orange fall sepals that are heavily veined by clay veins | 32.299517, 35.451044 |
11 | Light lavender standard petals tinted with purple-brown hue at the base and sepia fall sepals | 32.299069, 35.449207 |
12 (G) | Wine Dregs colored standard petals with bordeaux colored fall sepals | 32.328068, 35.47974 |
13 (H) | Brandy colored standard petals that are tinted burnt umber at the base and heavily veined by chestnut veins with russet fall sepals | 32.291222, 35.449256 |
14 (I) | Purple wine standard petals with tyrian purple fall sepals | 32.327432, 35.479189 |
1.3 Iris haynei
Populations of I. haynei were discovered across a total surveyed area of 9.548 km2, distributed among four sites, ranging in size from 1.7 dunams (0.0012 km2) (Raba III site) to 254.2 dunams (0.2542 km2) (Raba I site, refer to Table
Studied areas of I. haynei with their central GPS coordinates in the form of latitude and longitude were taken in the form of Decimal Degrees (DD), total area, number of clumps, counted clones, and flowers.
No | Site | Area (Dunams)- km2 | Longitude, Latitude | # of clumps | # of clones | # of flowers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Raba I | 254.212- (0.254212 km2) | 35.363602, 32.389039 | 11 | 59 | 126 |
2 | Raba II | 107.256- (0.107256 km2) | 35.378278, 32.375270 | 790 | 3281 | 5057 |
3 | Raba III | 1.726- (0.001726 km2) | 35.385375, 32.368365 | 971 | 7276 | 4201 |
4 | Faqqua | 21.551- (0.021551 km2) | 35.391059, 32.490827 | 43 | 113 | 178 |
Total | 385- (0.385 km2) | 1815 | 10729 | 9562 |
I. haynei variation in coloration of inflorescences, with a description of color variation and its location.
No | Description of variation in coloration of inflorescences | Latitude, Longitude |
---|---|---|
1 (A) | Light mauve standard petals with sandy brown fall sepals which are finely veined with walnut brown veins | 32.388721, 35.365295 |
2 (B) | Light periwinkle standard petals which are heavily veined with dark purple heather veins and have light sandy brownish fall sepals which are finely veined with very light peanut brown veins | 32.388786, 35.365181 |
3 (C) | A very pale lilac standard petals with pale rosy background fall sepals which are moderately adorned with numerous mildly lilac dots | 32.388901, 35.365231 |
4 (D) | An off-white standard petal with very light brown fall sepals with a brownish background beneath the beard | 32.485872, 35.401144 |
5 (E) | White standard petals which are tinted with pale amber hue accompanied with light amber orange fall sepals | 32.48735, 35.39579 |
6 | Light lilac standard petals accompanied with medium lilac fall sepals | 32.48214, 35.40364 |
7 | White standard petals which are tinted with pale lemon-yellow hue accompanied with lemon yellow fall sepals | 32.48587, 35.40114 |
2.1 Iris lortetii
All nine studied sites of I. lortetii’s habitats share two mutual ecosystem units, the montane Mediterranean vegetation (woodlands, garrigue), and transition shrublands along the east-northern parts of the central mountains within Nablus governorate.
2.1.1 Yasid area:
Yasid is located 15 km northeast of Nablus city. The western-central area of Yasid is considered a Mediterranean maquis. On the other hand, its east-central side is more semi-dry rocky garrigue with scattered shrubs and chamaephytes adapted to the Mediterranean climate, where most of the I. lortetii clones were observed (see Fig.
2.1.2 Mount Nablus I (Mount Ebal):
Mount Nablus is considered one of the highest mountains (935 mamsl) in the West Bank and the highest in Nablus district. The site is characterized by very steep, rocky cliffs, and garrigue habitats of limestone soil with scattered shrubs and chamaephytes, which are adapted to the Mediterranean climate (see Fig.
2.1.3 Beit Dajan
Beit Dajan is located in the eastern part of Nablus district. The site’s habitats are characterized by its semi-dry, garrigue rocky hills of limestone and dolomite soil, to semi-steppe shrubland with scattered shrubs and chamaephytes of Crataegus aronia, Acanthus syriacus Boiss., Sarcopoterium spinosum, Gladiolus italicus Mill. and the rare Asphodeline lutea, in addition to the vulnerable and rare Petrorhagia zoharyana A.Liston.
2.1.4 Aqraba (Aqraba I, Aqraba II, & Aqraba III)
Aqraba is located in the southeastern parts of Nablus district, where three sites of I. lortetii were located:
• Aqraba I (Khirbet Al Tawil)
The site is located on the east south of Aqraba village. It is characterized by its semi-steppe shrubland habitat, which falls upon shrub-steppe rocky montane of limestone chalk and marl dominated by scattered shrubs (see Fig.
Images for six of the nine described habitats of I. lortetii; A. Yasid area – Nablus district; B. Majdal Bani Fadel – Nablus district; C. Aqraba I (Khirbet Al Tawil) – Nablus district; D. Aqraba II – Nablus district; E. Usarin – Nablus district; F. Mount Nablus (Mount Ebal) – Nablus district.
• Aqraba II
The habitat of Aqraba II site is characterized by its rocky-stony montane garrigue of limestone chalk and marl soil mixed with the Mediterranean batha habitat (see Fig.
• Aqraba III
This site is found in the northeastern part of Aqraba town. It is characterized by its semi-steppe garrigue olive orchard habitat with the main vegetation of Olea europaea L., Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., and Drimia aphylla (Forssk.) J.C. Manning & Goldblatt. The site endured several anthropogenic effects including urbanization, habitat destruction, and livestock overgrazing, which is reflected in a decreased and scattered number of clones.
2.1.5 Usarin:
Usarin is located to the southeast of Nablus district. It is characterized by its semi-steppe shrubland and rocky montane phrygana of limestone chalk and marl soil (see Fig.
2.1.6 Majdal Bani Fadel:
Majdal Bani Fadel is located to the southeast of Aqraba town, to the north of Duma village. Its habitat is characterized by transition semi-steppe shrubland with olive orchards, and brown rendzinas limestone chalk and marl soil (see Fig.
2.2 Iris atrofusca
All studied sites, where I. atrofusca clones were documented, are classified as transitional shrublands along the eastern slopes of Tubas and Ramallah districts, characterized by their low vegetation coverages with scattered trees. The area suffers from several anthropogenic threats that affect I. atrofusca’s populations, including livestock overgrazing, wild plants foraging, flower collection and uprooting, and agricultural practices.
2.2.1 Khirbet Yarza (sites I, II, III, IV) and Khirbet Al-Ras Al Ahmar
Khirbet Yarza is located 6 km to the east of Tubas city, within the east-central parts of Tubas district. It is a transition shrubland (see Fig.
2.2.2 Hamam al Malih
This hilly area is located about 4 km to the east north of Khirbet Yarza. It is a typical transition zone of rocky slopes with brown igneous and metamorphic soil (see Fig.
2.2.3 Wadi Firan
Wadi Firan is a relatively medium Wadi (~4.5 km) that extends from Khirbet Makhul to the Jordan River. It is a semi-steppe slope of a rocky and semi-arid canyon with brown lithosols arid chalk and marl soil (see Fig.
2.2.4 Khirbet Samra
The site is a transition shrubland area, located to the northeast south of Khirbet Yarza, in the east-central parts of Tubas district. The habitat of the site is a rocky, semi-steppe hill with brown rendzinas, limestone chalk, and marl soil. The main vegetation of the area consists of Ferula communis L., Carlina curtum, Salvia viridis, Salvia dominica, Phlomis brachyodon, Kickxia aegyptiaca (L.) Nabelek, Ziziphus spina-christi, Gundelia tournefortii, Teucrium capitatum L., Gypsophila capillaris (Forssk.) C.Chr., Sarcopoterium spinosum, Anemone coronaria, Calicotome villosa, Heliotropium rotundifolium Lehm., Moraea sisyrinchium (L.) Ker-Gawler, Retama raetam, and Ziziphus lotus.
2.2.5 Mu’arrjat Al Taybeh
The site is in the eastern part of Ramun town, within the east-central part of Ramallah district. The study area is a dry rocky, semi-steppe slope with limestone chalk and marl soil. The main vegetation reported in the area include Phlomoides laciniata, Phlomis brachyodon, Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris, the rare species of Serratula pusilla (Labill.) Dittrich, Salvia palaestina Benth., Salvia samuelssonii Rech.f., Astragalus macrocarpus DC., Gladiolus atroviolaceus Boiss. and Achillea arabica Kotschy, with the vulnerable and the rare Petrorhagia zoharyana.
2.3 Iris haynei
I. haynei was found in four sites, within the northeastern parts of the West Bank. All sites share a common ecosystem feature of montane Mediterranean vegetation (woodlands and phrygana), including plantations and olive groves.
2.3.1 Raba village:
It is located 11 km to the east-south of Jenin city, and 12 km to the southwest of Faqqua-Jalbun villages, in the eastern part of Jenin district. The site was divided into three main areas, namely: Raba I, II, and III, based on habitat and vegetation cover.
• Raba I site
Raba I site is in the west-southern parts of Raba town. The site is dominated by Pinus halepensis Mill. trees, a man-made small forest (see Fig.
• Raba II & III sites
These two limestone rocky sites are located within two hilly areas, to the east south of Raba town, and to the east of Raba I site. They are characterized by their rocky shrub-steppes garrigue habitats which are intermixed with Mediterranean woodland and shrubs (see Fig.
2.3.2 Faqqua site:
Faqqua is in the northeastern part of Jenin district. The investigated area within Faqqua is located in the west-southern part of Faqqua town. The site is a cultivated land with rocky garrigue (see Fig.
The flora of Palestine has not been studied well (
Furthermore, Aqraba II site has the highest percentage of flower-borne clones of I. lortetii in a relatively small area of 68 dunams (0.068 km2), probably due to minimal anthropogenic activities. This revealed that the site has the highest population density of I. lortetii’s, and the majority of the recorded clones are adults (flowering clones). Moreover, the site is under threat of being invaded by the American invasive plant species (
Based on
New populations of I. atrofusca were documented for the first time in areas that held one of the highest numbers of clones ever recorded. These sites are in the eastern parts of Tubas district, within transition zone of the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian. The Khirbet Yarza area (sites of Yarza I, II, II, and IV) holds the highest number followed by Khirbet Ar-Ras Al Ahmar and Hamam Al Maleh. However, the number of I. atrofusca clones is expected to be higher, since mainly mature and flowering clones (patch of clones) were counted. Interestingly, two clones at Wadi Firan (Table
It is observed that the further north the distribution area of I. atrofusca extends, the more variability there is in its perianth color, with its flowers becoming more purple and the standards showing dark purple veins on a paler background, a feature also found in I. haynei (Fig.
This feature might be an introgression hybridization between I. atrofusca from I. haynei (
Three new sites for I. haynei were discovered in Raba area (Raba I, II, and III), which is in the northeastern part of Jenin district, about 12 km in a west-south direction of the known site of I. haynei, the Faqqua-Jalbon area. The Raba area was found to hold a high population density of I. haynei, which was unknown to the scientific communities at the national and international levels (
Many I. haynei populations were found either devastated by the sheep and goat herds, flowers were picked and collected, clones were uprooted of the rhizomes. The ripe fruit capsules were either bisected or destroyed. The Raba I site is located within a man-made coniferous woodland, where I. haynei populations face various threats, such as a shortage of available sunlight due to the dense coniferous trees. Their rhizomes are buried under the needle-like leaves of the coniferous trees, which are also known to alter the soil pH by increasing its acidity. Additionally, there is interspecific competition between the pine trees and other natural vegetation, including I. haynei, for resources. All these factors indicate an unhealthy population of I. haynei, which might explain its decreased number of flowers (4201) despite the highest reported number of clones (7276, Table
In addition, various geophytes such as Ophrys sphegodes Mill (normally it starts blooming in the third week of March until the end of April) and Anacamptis papilionacea (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase (blooming period is mid of February until the first week of April) were already dry (
Floral color has a key role as a visual signaling sign that paves the pathway of plant-pollinator interactions. A study that examined the evolution of flower colors in the genus Royal Irises in a micro-evolutionary framework revealed that the most recent ancestor of Royal Irises was monomorphic with purple flowers that had a crest and a spot on its fall (
Extreme inflorescence-coloration variation of I. atrofusca. A. Inflorescence-coloration variation for the yellow-orange fall sepals, with maximum purple standard petals tinted orange at their base with dark brown background beneath an orangish beard. B. Inflorescence- coloration variation for the same clone which carries both white standards with light pastel magenta falls, and the dark brown-purple to nearly black fall petals and dark purple- brown standard petals.
A, B. Within Faqqua- Jalbun site the Iris haynei ripe fruit’s capsules and the clones had already been dried on the 28th of March, where this developmental stage (ripe fruit capsules) is typically seen within the month of May. This could be an acclimation process for Iris haynei and other geophytes to cope with the new environmental conditions.
All three Royal Irises are very narrow endemics (
In addition, it would be of interest to conduct a population genomic analysis on the known population across the distribution range of the I. lortetii, coupled with phylogenetic analyses and coalescent simulations, which could provide valuable information on the origin, demographic histories, and adaptation (diverge at candidate loci) to their distinctive habitats. Similar studies should be carried out on the populations of I. haynei and I. atrofusca along their distribution range to clarify any ambiguity regarding these species. These future genetic studies shall help in understanding the evolutionary processes over small spatial scales besides examining the variations among the species.
All recorded populations of the three Royal Irises are under different types of anthropogenic threats and the effects of climate change require determining their influence upon the life cycle of the Irises, which might lead to several consequences, including extinction. The lack of awareness among residents is an important factor to be taken into consideration, as a major threat to Royal Irises’ populations in Palestine. Therefore, conservation actions, protection measures, and increasing public awareness is essential to sustain and conserve the populations of the threatened and endemic Royal Irises in Palestine.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support provided by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and BirdLife International for this project (grants number CEPF-113772 and CEPF-110674).
The author has declared that no competing interests exist.
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author Anton Khalilieh (anton@naturepalestine.org).
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the US Forest Service for their invaluable support. We would like also to thank the NPS’s Palestinian Youth Climate Corps team and NPS’s volunteers (Ata Ali, Balsam Sairafi, Dana Musleh, Hanadi Rayan, Jihad Kifaya, Malak Oudeh, Marwa Mousa, Mohammad Abu Asaliyeh, Mustafa Abu Kas, Sahar Zaidan, Shihab Malash) who supported the conduction of the survey and fieldwork in 2023. Furthermore, we extend our special thanks to Banan Al Sheikh and Islam Daghlas for their dedicated efforts and support conducting the survey and fieldwork for I. atrofusca during the spring of 2020–21. We are also appreciative of Yara Dahdal and others for their valuable feedback on earlier versions of the manuscript.
Iris species
Data type: xlsx