Description
Iris goniocarpa is very similar in form to Iris hookeriana , but differs in being more slender in growth, [2] and it also produces one flower (in May). [3]
It has short rhizomes, that grow very slowly, [4] and also has very slender secondary roots underneath the rhizome. [5]
It has yellow green, [4] [5] green, [6] or dark green leaves. [7] That are linear, [4] [5] and can grow up to between 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long, and between 0.2 and 0.3 cm wide. [5] [8] They do not have a mid-vein, [5] and are similar in form to Liriope foliage. [7]
It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall. [5] [9] [10]
The stem is either leafless, [5] or has 1–2 green, [8] lanceolate spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 2–4 cm (1–2 in) long and between 0.5 and 0.8 cm wide. [5]
The stems hold 1 terminal (top of stem) flower, [3] [5] [9] blooming in spring, [7] or summer, [11] between April and May, [5] [6] [7] or May and June. [4]
The flowers are 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, [5] [8] [9] come in shades of blue, [6] [8] from blue-violet, [4] [7] lilac, [8] [9] lavender-blue, [10] to blue-purple, [3] [4] [9] or purple. [2] [12] Very rarely, there is a white form. [2] [8] [10]
It has 2 pairs of petals, (like other irises) 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'. [13] The falls are obovate to elliptic in shape, [5] with a retuse (or rounded) apex. [5] It has a deeper or a darker shade, mottling or blotching. [2] [3] [5] In the centre, they have a white beard, [5] [7] which has yellow, [5] or orange tipped hairs. [3] [8] [9] The erect, [8] standards are oblong shaped, with a retuse apex. [5] 1.8–2.2 cm (1–1 in) long and 0.5 cm wide. [5] [8]
It has a 1.5–2 cm long perianth tube, 1.5 cm long stamens, yellow anthers, 1–1.5 cm long ovary and 1.8 cm long style branches. [5]
After the iris has flowered, between June and August, it produces an ellipsoid seed capsule, that is 3.2–4 cm (1–2 in) long and 1.2–1.8 cm in diameter. It has a short beak-like apex. [5]
Biochemistry
In 2009, a karyotype analysis was carried out on 10 irises found in China, it found the chromosome counts. [14]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [13] It has a chromosome count: 2n=26. [4] [14]
Distribution and habitat
Iris goniocarpa is native to temperate and tropical Asia. [4] [12] [15]
Range
It is found within China, [4] [10] [19] in many Provinces of China, (including Guangxi (Gansu), Hubei, Qinghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang (also referred to as Tibet, [3] [10] [17] )and Yunnan, [22] ). [5] [15] In Sichuan, it is found on 'Haizi Shan', part of the Daxue Mountains. [11] It is also found within tropical Asia, in India (including Sikkim, [2] [3] [8] and Nepal, [4] [8] [10] ), Bhutan, [4] and Myanmar (also known as Burma). [5] [15]
It is found on the slopes of the Himalayan mountains. [4] [9] [10]
Habitat
It grows on alpine grasslands and meadows, [4] [5] [11] and in open forests of mountain valleys, [8] on granite soils. [11]
They can be found at an altitude of 2,700 to 5,500 m (8,900 to 18,000 ft) above sea level. [4] [5] [8]
Cultivation
It is not hardy to in the UK, but can be grown in an alpine house or bulb frame. [2] It is hardy in Europe, but needs shelter from winter wetness. [4]
It can be grown in well-drained soils. [2] [4] It is tolerant of different pH levels. [12]
It prefers positions in sun. [2] [7] [12]
It needs moisture during the spring but not at winter times. It also needs a dry summer period. [4]
It is thought to be best planted in September and October, to get blooms for the next year. [3]
Propagation
It can be propagated by division or by seed growing. Original herbarium specimens were grown from seed. [3]
Hybrids and cultivars
Iris goniocarpa has the following varieties; 'Felina', 'Goniocarpa Alpina', 'Goniocarpa Pratensis', 'Pardaline', 'Tenella'. [9]
Note, Iris goniocarpa var. grossa Y.T.Zhao is classified as a synonym of Iris cuniculiformis [23]
