Iris cathayensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
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. cathayensis |
Binomial name | |
Iris cathayensis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
None known |
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 cathayensis has a brown, tough, knobbly rhizome. Which has dark red leaf bases (from last seasons leaves). [2] [3]
It has linear, greyish-green, 15–25 cm (6–10 in) long and 3 – 4 mm wide at blooming time. It later extends up to 45 cm (18 in) long and 6mm wide. [2] [3] The tips of the leaves arch over. [3]
It has very short flowering stems, 15–25 cm (6–10 in) long. [4] [5] Sometimes, the stems do not emerge from below ground. [2] [3]
It has between 3–4 green, lanceolate, between 12–8 cm (5–3 in) long and 2–1.2 cm (1–0 in) wide, large spathes (leaves of the flower bud). [2] [3] It has membranous margins, visible mid-vein and pointed end. [2] [3]
The flowers are 6–7.5 cm (2–3 in) in diameter, and come in shades of violet, [2] [4] [5] in April. [2]
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'. [6] The falls are narrowly oblanceolate, 4–5.5 cm (2–2 in) long and 5mm wide. The standards are also narrowly oblanceolate, 4–5 cm (2–2 in) long and 5mm wide. [2]
It has a 1.5–2 cm long, filiform (thread-like) pedicel, 7–9 cm long perianth tube, 2.8–3.5 cm long stamens, blue anthers and 1.3–1.5 long ovary. It also has 3.5–4 cm (1–2 in) long and 3mm wide, linear style branches, the same colour as the petals. [2]
After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule (not described) between June and August. [2]
In 2000, a chemical analysis of 22 species of iris from China was carried out. According to the distribution pattern of isoflavones in the species, they can be separated into 2 groups. One group contains isoflavonoid aglycons and the other has glycosides and isoflavonoid aglycons. Iris cathayensis Migo and Iris mandshurica Pall. are considered intermediate groups between subgen. Limniris and Iris subg. Iris. [7]
In 2005, a study was carried out to find out the chemical composition of Iris cathayensis. Using chromatography and spectroscopic methods, as well as others. [8]
It is written as 华夏鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as hua xia yuan wei in China. [2] [9]
It has the common name of 'China Iris', [10] [11] or Cathay Iris. [9]
The Latin specific epithet cathayensis refers to Cathay , the Anglicized version of "Catai" and an alternative name for China.
It was published and described by Hisao Migo, in the 'Journal of the Shanghai Science Institute' Sect.3 Vol.4 on page 140 in 1939. [12]
It was later published in 'Flora of Jiangsu', First Vol. 395, Fig. 712 in 1977. [4]
Iris cathayensis is native to temperate areas of Asia. [9]
It is found in the Chinese provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, [3] [4] [5] and Zhejiang. [2] [9]
It is found growing on open hillsides and grasslands, [2] and low-altitude mountain meadow slopes. [11]
Iris cathayensis is not common in cultivation in the UK. [13]
It prefers to grow in sandy soils. It needs to be kept dry during winter, needing the protection of bulb frames, it only needs water during the growing season. [13]
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Iris wilsonii is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, native to China. It is placed in the series Sibiricae of the subgenus Limniris of the genus Iris. This rhizomatous herbaceous perennial has long and drooping grey-green leaves, hollow stems and two fragrant yellow, pale yellow or yellow/white flowers.
Iris formosana is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and the section Lophiris. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Taiwan, it has large white or lilac flowers. It is commonly known as the 'Taiwan iris'. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
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.
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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.
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 crocea is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, found in Kashmir. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also commonly known as Golden Iris or Golden Flag. It was also known as Iris aurea for a long time, before that was regarded as a synonym of Iris crocea.
Iris halophila is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with yellow, white or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It comes from a wide range from eastern Europe to China in Asia. It was known for a long while as a subspecies of Iris spuria, before being treated as a separate species in its own right.
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.
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 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.