| Iris curvifolia | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Iris |
| Subgenus: | Iris subg. Iris |
| Section: | Iris sect. Psammiris |
| Species: | I. curvifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Iris curvifolia | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
None known | |
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.
It is similar in form to Iris bloudowii , but smaller, although it has slightly inflated bracts. [2]
It has short, thick yellow-brown rhizomes, that are about 2 cm (1 in) in diameter. [3] [4] [5] Underneath, are thick fibrous secondary roots. [3] [4] [5] On top of the rhizome, are the bases of last seasons leaves. [2]
It has glaucous green leaves, that are falcate (or sickle-shaped) or bent slightly above middle of the leaf. [4] [5] [6] They can grow up to between 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long and 1–1.5 cm wide. [3] [4] [5] They have an acuminate (or pointed) end. [4] [5]
It has leafless, [3] [4] [5] stems that can reach up to between 8–15 cm (3–6 in) long. [5] [6] [7]
The stem has 3, lanceolate, spathes or bracts (leaves of the flower bud), which are 5–6 cm (2–2 in) long and 13–1.8 cm (5–1 in) wide. [5] [6] They have membranous edges and acuminate ends. [3] [4] [5]
The stems hold 2 terminal (top of stem) flowers, [5] [6] between May and June. [3] [4] They are held on very short pedicels. [4] [5]
The flowers are 4.5–6 cm (2–2 in) in diameter, [2] [3] [4] come in yellow, [5] [6] [7] or bright yellow. [2] [3] [4]
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'. [8] The falls are obovate, [3] [5] with brown veins, lines or stripes, [5] [6] [7] and a central yellow, [7] or pale yellow beard. [3] [4] They are 4.5 cm (2 in) long and 1.5 cm wide. [3] [4] [5] The standards are oblanceolate and 4 cm (2 in) long and 1.3 cm wide. [3] [4] [5]
It has 2–3 cm (1–1 in) long and funnel shaped, perianth tube, [2] [4] [5] a cylindrical, 1.8–2.2 cm (1–1 in) long ovary. [3] [4] [5] It also has 2.2 cm long stamens, golden yellow or yellow anthers. [3] [4] [5] It has 3 cm long and 4 mm wide style branches, which has lobes that are obliquely lanceolate. [4] [5]
After the iris has flowered, between July and September. [3] [4] it produces a yellow green, [4] [5] ellipsoid, [3] or obovate seed capsule, [4] [5] which is 4 cm long and 2 cm wide, [3] [4] [5] with a short beak, and yellow green with 6 ribs. [4] [5] Inside the capsules, are reddish brown, pyriform (pear-shaped) seeds, [3] [4] [5] which are about 7 mm long. [4]
It is written as 弯叶鸢尾 in Chinese script, [3] and known as wān yè yuān wěi in Pinyin in China. [3] [9]
It is commonly known as the 'curved leaf iris'. [4] [10]
The Latin specific epithet curvifolia refers to having curved leaves. [2] [11]
It was first published and described by Yu Tang Zhao in 'Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica' (Acta Phytotax. Sin.) Vol.20 Issue1 on page 99 in 1982. [9] [10] [12]
The type specimen (for the description) was collected from Bole, Xinjiang. [4]
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, it was then updated on 29 September 2008. [9]
It is native to temperate regions of Asia. [9]
It is found in China, [12] within the Chinese province, of Xinjiang. [6] [7] [9]
In 2011, a study was carried out on the vegetation of Karlik Mountain, within the Tian Shan Mountains. Iris curvifolia was 1 of the 14 endemic species of Xinjiang region. [13]
It grows in the meadows and grasslands on hillsides. [3] [4] [6]
It is rare and not in general cultivation in the UK. [5]