Iris anguifuga

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Iris anguifuga
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Limniris
Section: Iris sect. Limniris
Series: Iris ser. Tenuifoliae
Species:
I. anguifuga
Binomial name
Iris anguifuga
Synonyms [1]
  • Ophioiris anguifuga (Y.T.Zhao & X.J.Xue) Rodion.

Iris anguifuga (or snake-bane iris) is a beardless iris in the genus Iris , in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has narrow green leaves, long stem and violet or blue flowers.

Contents

Description

Iris anguifuga has the unique form of having only one bract. [2] It is also similar in form to a slender spuria iris. [3] [4]

When in growth (see above about seasonal bulb and seasonal rhizome habit), it has a short, thick rhizome, that is swollen and thicker at the top. [5] [6] [7] It has the fibrous remains of last seasons growth leaves, similar to a bulb at the top. [5] [7]

It has 3–5 linear, pointed (lanceolate), narrow, green leaves, between 20–30 cm (8–12 in) and 0.5–0.7 cm (0–0 in) wide. [2] [5] They have 3–6 parallel veins. [5]

It has a flowering stem of between 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall. [2] [3] [5] It has one terminal (at the top of the stem) flower, [3] between March and April. [5]

It has 1 lanceolate (lance-like) between 10–13.5 cm (4–5 in) long and 0.8 cm (0 in) wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud). [3] [5] [6]

The spider-like flowers are 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, [2] [5] [6] and have a slight fragrance. [4] The flowers are violet or blue. [4] [5] [8] 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'. [9] The long and narrow falls are oblanceolate, 5–5.5 cm (2–2 in) long and 0.8 cm (0 in) wide, they are sometimes marked with brown or purple lines or dots on the edges and along the centre of the petal. [2] [3] [4] The standards are also oblanceolate, but are 5–4.5 cm (2–2 in) long and 0.3 cm (0 in) wide. They also have purple or brown markings. [2] [3] [5]

It has violet style branches, 5–4.5 cm (2–2 in) long and 0.6 cm (0 in) wide. [2] [4] [5]

It has a 2.5 cm long pedicel, 3 cm long perianth tube, 2.5 cm long stamens and bright yellow anthers. [5]

After the iris has flowered, in May and June, it produces a fusiform (spindle shaped) seed capsule, which is three angled and has a long beak on the end (almost as long as the capsule). It is 7–5.5 cm (3–2 in) long and 1.5–2 cm (1–1 in) wide. [2] [5] Inside, are 4-5mm diameter globose (spherical) seeds. [5]

Biochemistry

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [9] It has a chromosome count: 2n=34, Mao & Xue, 1986. [2]

Taxonomy

It is written as 单苞鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as dan bao yuan wei in China. [5] [10]

It has the common name of Snake bane iris, [3] [11] or single-bract iris. [10]

The Latin specific epithet anguifuga means snake-bane or snake-chaser. [2] [3]

It was first published and described by Y.T.Zhao and X.J.Xue in 'Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica' (of Beijing) Vol.18 Issue 1 page56 in 1980. [12] They placed the iris within 'Section Ophioiris', (meaning 'snake iris', a separate section just for the iris, [7] ) but Brian Mathew (in his book 'The Iris',1981) included it within Series Tenuifoliae. [3] Later, chromosome counts, placed the iris within Series Tenuifoliae. [2] [6] [13]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003. [10]

Distribution and habitat

Iris anguifuga is native to temperate areas of Asia. [10]

Range

It is found within the provinces of China, [8] in Anhui, Guangxi and Hubei. [3] [7] [10]

Habitat

It grows on the hillsides and in grasslands. [2] [3] [5]

Cultivation

Iris anguifuga is not common in cultivation the UK or the USA. [3] [14] But has been in cultivation in China for centuries. [11]

It is hardy between USDA Zone 1 and Zone 6, but may survive in lower temperatures but has not been trialed. [2] [3]

It prefers sandy, well drained soils. [2] [14]

It is vigorous in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade (under Deciduous trees), but with reduced flower growth. [2] [11]

It is unique in its growth habit as a rhizomous iris, as it is dormant and leafless during most of the 'normal' growing season, then in late fall / autumn (in China), it begins to grow new leaves and is evergreen through the winter and produces flowers in the spring and goes dormant again. [3] In colder regions (the US and UK), it acts like a bulb, dormant through to the spring before emerging and producing leaves and flowers (in a shorter period) before disappearing in summer. [11]

When the iris, has finished flowering, most of the plant withers away, apart from a growth point, which is similar in form to a bulb. It is possible that this is the origin of all bulbous irises. [11] It is one of the few known plants with seasonal bulbs and seasonal rhizomes. [3]

It needs to be kept dry during winter (in the USA or UK), needing the protection of bulb frames, it only needs water during the growing season. [14] It will not tolerate being waterlogged. [2]

Resembles a skinny spuria iris, evergreen during winter, but dormant during summer and starts growing again in mid-autumn. [3]

Propagation

It can be propagated by division or by seed growing, but it does not like being disturbed. So seed growing may be more successful. [14]

Hybrids and cultivars

No variation has been observed and no cultivars have been selected. [2]

Uses

It is cultivated in the western part of Hubei in China as a medicinal plant. [15] The rhizome is ground into a paste and then can be applied to snakebites as a herbal remedy. [11]

Culture

It is thought in China, that the iris has the ability to keep snakes from entering the garden. It grows all winter, keeping snakes out, but then goes dormant in the spring, allowing the snakes back into the garden. In the autumn, the iris re-appears and can stop the snakes again. [3] [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Iris <span style="font-style:normal;">ser.</span> Tenuifoliae</i> Group of flowering plants

Iris ser. Tenuifoliae is a series of the genus Iris, in Iris. subg. Limniris.

Iris proantha is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Chinenses of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial.

Iris cathayensis is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial from China. It has grey-green leaves, short stems and violet flowers.

Iris kobayashii is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has slightly twisted leaves, short stems and 1 to 2 purple or blue and yellow flowers.

Iris loczyi is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from a wide area of Asia, including Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Tibet and China. It has long thin grey green leaves, long stems and 1 flower in pale violet, blue violet, lavender or light blue.

Iris qinghainica is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has grey green leaves, a very short stem and 1–2 blue or violet flowers.

Iris songarica is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Central Asia, located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It has long strap-like leaves, a long stem and 2–3 flowers in shades of violet, dark blue, to lavender blue.

<i>Iris tenuifolia</i> Species of plant

Iris tenuifolia is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from a wide region over central Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, ; Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia and in China. It has long greyish-green leaves, short stem and pale violet, lilac, pale blue, or purple flowers.

Iris ventricosa is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Asia and the Russian Federation, to Mongolia and China. It has grey-green leaves, short flowers stems and 1–2 pale violet or pale blue flowers.

Iris farreri is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Tenuifoliae of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has grey-green leaves, long stem and 1 or 2 violet, lilac or light blue flowers. It has undergone several changes of name and series, before being left as Iris farreri.

Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica is a species of the genus Iris, part of a subgenus known as Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a subspecies of Iris spuria and is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey in Asia with flowers in various shades of blue, but there are rare white forms. They have a yellow centre and darker veining. It has the common name of 'Muslim iris'. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris latistyla is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the section 'Lophiris section, although it was thought to be listed within Iris subg. Nepalensis in some sources. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Tibet and China, with violet or blue-purple flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris subdichotoma is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the section Lophiris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Tibet and China, with pale blue, blue-purple, purple, violet or white flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris curvifolia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris, and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from China. It has sickle-shaped long leaves, short stem and yellow or bright yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris mandshurica is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, it is found in Russia, China, and Korea. It has green sword-like leaves, smooth green stem and yellow flowers, with yellow-purple veining and a yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Iris potaninii</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris potaninii is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Siberia in Russia, Mongolia and China. It is a dwarf plant, having either subterranean or very small stems, long thin leaves and yellow, or dark violet to purplish blue flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris goniocarpa is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from China, India, Burma and Bhutan. It has yellow green to dark green, long leaves, slender stem and, one flower between blue, lavender-blue, lilac, blue-violet or blue-purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris leptophylla is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from China. It has thin, long grey-green leaves, long slender stem and 2 fragrant purple, blue-purple, violet or lavender pink flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris psammocola is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from China. It has grass-like leaves, short stems, yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Iris tigridia</i> Species of plant of the genus Iris

Iris tigridia is a plant species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and China. It has dark green or greyish green, grass-like leaves, a short slender stem and a single flowers that are either violet, dark blue, blue-purple, dark purple, mauve, lilac, lavender, or light purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

References

  1. ↑ "Iris anguifuga Y.T.Zhao & X.J.Xue is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Franco, Alain (1 December 2013). "(SPEC) Iris anguifuga Zhao". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Kramb, D. (14 September 2004). "Iris anguifuga". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Species and Water Garden Iris". iriscitygardens.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "FOC Vol. 24 Page 302". efloras.org (Flora of China). Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Hall, Tony (2013). "Canadian Iris Society, CIS newsletter, Winter 2013 Volume 57 Issue 1" (PDF). e-clipse.ca (Canadian Iris Society). pp. 19–21. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation , p. 255, at Google Books
  8. 1 2 "Beardless Irises Three". pacificbulbsociety.org. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  9. 1 2 Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN   978-0881927306. OL   8176432M.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Iris anguifuga". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Murrain, Jim (14 July 2014). "Iris anguifuga – The missing link?". theamericanirissociety.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "Iridaceae Iris anguifuga Y.T.Zhao & X.J.Xue". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  13. ↑ Tillie, Nico; Chase, M.; Hall, T. (January 2000). "Molecular studies in the genus Iris L.: A preliminary study". Annali di Botanica. 58: 105–112. doi:10.4462/annbotrm-9068 (inactive 2024-06-20).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of June 2024 (link)
  14. 1 2 3 4 Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 139. ISBN   0-88192-089-4.
  15. ↑ Peter Hanelt, (Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research) and W. Kilian (Editors) Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: (2001) , p. 2299, at Google Books

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