Iris milesii

Last updated

Iris milesii
Iris milesii I IMG 6615.jpg
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. Lophiris
Species:
I. milesii
Binomial name
Iris milesii
Synonyms [1]

None known

Iris milesii (also known as the red flower iris) is a plant species in the genus Iris , subgenus Limniris and in the section Lophiris (crested irises). It is a rhizomatous, beardless perennial plant, native to the Himalayas, India and China. It has pinkish-violet, or pinkish purple, or pinkish-lavender or pinkish lilac flowers, with a fringed yellow or orange crest (or ridge). It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Contents

Description

It is similar in form to Iris tectorum (another crested iris). [2] [3]

It has a short, thick, fleshy, greenish rhizomes, [4] [5] [6] which are 1–1.5 cm in diameter, [7] they are larger than other crested irises. [8] Underneath the rhizomes, are fleshy roots. [2] [9] [10] The rhizome is marked on top, with marks or scars of previous seasons leaves. [2] [9] [10] The rhizome produces lateral (non-flowering) shoots, these later become new growth points for the next season. [2] [9] [10] During the winter months, it goes dormant, the leaves die, leaving the rhizome bare on the soil surface. [11] [12]

It has around 8, [2] basal leaves, [9] [10] [8] which are slightly glaucous, [2] [11] [13] yellowish green, [2] [14] or greyish green, [7] or pale green. [13] [15] [16] They are sword-shaped, [7] [16] they can grow up to between 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long and 2.5–7 cm (1–3 in) wide. [10] [17] The leaves are visibly ribbed, [2] [18] [14] and change in size along the stem. [2] [8] [13] They die away in the autumn, [3] [11] to re-appear in the summer. [17]

It has slender, [12] [5] stems that can grow up to between 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall. [16] [19] [20] It has 2–4, [2] [7] branches, [15] [16] [19] which are 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long. [7]

Iris milesii and Iris wattii are by far the tallest species of the crested irises group. [21]

The stems have several spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 2.5–3.8 cm (1–1 in) long, [7] [13] and 2–2.5 cm (1–1 in) wide. [7]

The stems (and the branches) hold between 3 and 4 flowers, [7] in early summer, [4] [12] between April and May, [7] [11] or May to July. [2] [9] They are short lived, but a continuous display can carry on for many weeks, [8] [5] 8 to 10 weeks. [11]

The flowers are 6–10 cm (2–4 in) in diameter, [6] [13] [16] they are smaller than Iris japonica , [12] and Iris tectorum. [3] [11] The flowers come in shades of pinkish-violet, [2] [9] or pinkish purple, [3] [13] [22] or pinkish lilac, [4] [13] [23] pinkish-lavender, [18] [16] or pale mauve. [6] [19]

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 reflexed, [4] [23] obovate, [7] 3 cm long, [4] with a blade marked with dark purple, violet or lilac, lines, spots or mottled (streaks or blotches), [16] [19] [20] it has a finely fringed, [18] or toothed, [4] orange, [7] [14] [16] or white, [18] [8] or yellow crest (or ridge). [5] [13] [20] The standards are narrowly obovate, 4–5 cm (2–2 in) long. [7] [13] They are self-fertile. [2]

It has articulated pedicels, that are 2.5–4 cm (1–2 in) long. [7] [13]

It has a small perianth tube, 1–1.5 cm long, [7] [13] 2.5 cm long stamen, milky white anthers, 3 cm cylindric ovary. [7]

It has reddish purple, or lilac style branches, which are 3 cm long with deeply fringed (fimbriated) edges. [7] [13]

After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid-globose, [7] or ovoid-cylindrical seed capsule, [2] [9] between June and August. [7]

It is 2.8–3.3 cm (1–1 in) cm long, [9] with veining. [7] Inside the capsule, are pyriform (pear shaped) black brown seeds, [2] [7] with a white aril. [7]

Biochemistry

Iris milesii from Jardin des Plantes, Botanical garden in Paris, France Iris milesii - Fleur.jpg
Iris milesii from Jardin des Plantes, Botanical garden in Paris, France

In May 1984, a study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris milesii, to ascertain their chemical constituency. Several isoflavones (chemical compounds) were found. [11] [24]

In December 1884, a further study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris milesii and Iris kemaonensis (under old spelling 'kumaonensis'). It found several isoflavones in both rhizomes. [25]

Tetrahydroxy-3'-methoxyisoflavone (C16H12O7) can be found naturally within the iris, [26] rhizomes. [27]

Genetics

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [8] It has been counted several times, 2n=26, Simonet, 1932 and 2n=26, Chimphamba, 1973. [10] It is normally published as 2n=26. [11] [18] [20]

Taxonomy

It has the common names of red-flower iris, [9] [22] [28] and waterbird iris (in Australia). [23] [29]

It is written as 红花鸢尾 in Chinese script, [7] and known as hong hua yuan wei in Pidgin in China. [7] [28]

The Latin specific epithet milesii refers to Mr Frank Miles, who introduced it into cultivation in about 1880. [3] [8] [13] [15] These plants were grown from seeds collected by his cousin in the Kulu district to the north of Simla. [3] [8] [13]

It was first published and described by Michael Foster in Gardeners' Chronicle Volume 20 page 231 in 1883. [7] [30] John Gilbert Baker also described the iris in Curtis's Botanical Magazine Volume 112, tab.6889 in 1886. [13] [28]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 9 January 2003 and then updated on 1 December 2004. [28]

Iris milesii is an accepted name by the RHS. [16]

Distribution and habitat

Iris milesii Iris milesii - Fleurs 2.jpg
Iris milesii

Iris milesii is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia, [21] [29] [30]

Range

It is found in temperate Asia, within the Chinese provinces, [12] [30] of Sichuan, Xizang and Yunnan. [7] [11] [28]

It is also found in tropical Asia, within the States and union territories of India, in Himachal Pradesh, [18] Uttar Pradesh, [17] Jammu and Kashmir. [11] [17] [28]

It is also thought to be found in Tibet. [30]

Habitat

It grows in the conifer forest margins of hillsides, [11] [17] [19] in meadows, [11] in open groves (and clearings), [19] and wet valleys. [7] [18]

They can be found at an altitude of 1,500–2,700 m (4,900–8,900 ft) above sea level. [11] [17]

Conservation

They are 'abundant' in the wild. [18]

Cultivation

Flower buds of Iris milesii, from Himachal Pradesh, India. Iris milesii in Kullu distt, HP W IMG 6674.jpg
Flower buds of Iris milesii, from Himachal Pradesh, India.

Iris milesii is very hardy, [5] [13] [15] to between USDA Zone 3 and Zone 8, [22] or Zone 10. [29] It is not hardy in the North Carolina climate, because it does not survive the winter. [21] It is hardy in UK, [3] [14] to −15 °C (or lower for short periods). [17] It is also hardy, [11] to Europe Zone H3, [4] although it still needs a sheltered position. [13]

It is tolerant of normal garden soil, [3] but prefers well drained, [11] [5] sandy, peaty soils. [17] [5] It does not like lime. [12] It is tolerant of soils that are mildly acidic or mildly alkaline. [22]

It prefers a sunny [17] [15] [22] or semi-shade position. [5] [6] [29]

It also has average water needs. [11] [22] It prefers to have moisture during the growing season, but it will not survive in waterlogged sites/ [18]

It can be grown in mixed flower border, [11] [14] [6] or rock gardens. [11]

It does suffer virus problems that Iris tectorum. [11]

It is not rarely found in cultivation. [18] [17] [5] [21]

Propagation

It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing. [11] [22]

Although the Iris can produce plenty to seed, [6] propagation via division is quicker and more reliable. [11]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction. [22]

Related Research Articles

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Iris griffithii is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Afghanistan. It has short, sickle-shaped leaves, short green stem and purple flowers with white beards. Several specimens exist within herbaria around Europe, but it is rarely cultivated.

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

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References

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  23. 1 2 3 Nick Romanowski Water Garden Plants & Animals: The Complete Guide for All Australia , p. 79, at Google Books
  24. ↑ Agarwal, V.K.; Thappa, R.K.; Agarwal, S.G.; Dhar, K.L. (14 May 1984). "Phenolic constituents of Iris milesii rhizomes". Phytochemistry. Regional Research Laboratory. 23 (6): 1342–1343. doi:10.1016/s0031-9422(00)80460-4.
  25. ↑ Agarwal, V.K.; Thappa, R.K.; S.G., Agarwal; Mehraa, M.S.; Dhar, K.L. (1984). "Isoflavones of two Iris species". Phytochemistry. 23 (11): 2703–2704. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84141-2.
  26. ↑ John Buckingham and V. Ranjit N. Munasinghe Dictionary of Flavonoids with CD-ROM , p. 639, at Google Books
  27. ↑ J. B. Harborne The Flavonoids: Advances in Research since 1980 , p. 133, at Google Books
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  30. 1 2 3 4 "Iris milesii Baker ex Foster, Gard. Chron., n.s., 20: 231 (1883)". kew.org. Retrieved 29 September 2014.

Sources

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