Iris songarica

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Iris songarica
Iris songarica 380490993.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. Limniris
Series: Iris ser. Tenuifoliae
Species:
I. songarica
Binomial name
Iris songarica
Synonyms [1]
  • Iris multifloraV.J.Zinger
  • Joniris songarica(Schrenk) Klatt
  • Sclerosiphon songaricum(Schrenk) Nevski

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.

Contents

Description

Iris songarica flowers are similar in form to Iris spuria but differ in the colour shades. [2]

It has a slender, knobbly, dark rhizome. [3] [4] [5] Under the rhizome, are filamentous (feeder) roots, that can grow to a depth of 1–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in) into the soils and extend outwards between 20–80 cm (8–31 in). [6] On top of the rhizome, the vestiges or remains of last season's leaves/the maroon-brown fibres interweave, creating a spiral like effect. They also surround the base of the new leaves, as a sheath. [2] [3] [7]

It has rigid, strap-like, [8] linear, greyish-green leaves, which are 15–23 cm (6–9 in) long and 2–3 mm wide,(at flowering time). Afterwards, they then extend up to 70–80 cm (28–31 in) long and 7-10mm wide. [3] [6] [4] It has a visible longitudinal vein. [5]

It has a terete (round in cross-section) flowering stem, that can grow up to 25–50 cm (10–20 in) long. [4] [8] [9] The stem often is longer than the leaves. [7]

It has 3 pointed (acuminate), green, between 7–14 cm (3–6 in) long and 1.8–2 cm wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud). [3] [5]

The stems hold normally 2–3 (normally), 3–5 (rarely) terminal (top of stem) flowers, [6] [4] [5] blooming in spring, [7] between June and July. [3] The multiple flowering plants were originally called Iris songarica var. multiflora, but this has been classified as a synonym. [1]

The funnel-like flowers are 8–9 cm (3–4 in) in diameter, and come in shades of violet, dark blue, [6] to lavender blue. [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'. [10] The falls are fiddle shaped, 5–5.5 cm (2–2 in) long and 1 cm wide, with an ovate or elliptic limb (at the tips). [3] [5] They have violet or purple spots or blotches. [2] [6] [4] The oblanceolate, erect standards are 3.5 cm (1 in) long and 5 mm wide. [3] They also can have a darker colour veining, spots or blotches. [2] [4] [5]

It has a 4–6 cm (2–2 in) long perianth tube, [2] [3] [5] 4.5 cm long pedicel, [3] [5] 2.5 cm long ovary and 2.5 cm long stamens. [3] It has linear, reddish-brown anthers, [3] [6] [5] The style branches are 3.5 cm long and 1 cm wide, [3] similar in size to the standards, [5] but a different shade of colour. It has 2-lobed stigmas, with triangular shaped teeth and purple filaments. [5]

After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid to cylindric, sometimes oblong, seed capsule, [5] [7] 4–6.5 cm (2–3 in) long and 1.5–2 cm wide, [6] in mid to late summer, [7] between May and June (in Central Asia) [6] or August and September (in China). [3] It is leather-like, veined and has a long beak-like appendage on the top. [3] It can carry up 20 seeds. [6] The seeds are maroon-brown to dark brown, pyriform (pear-shaped) or elliptical, rugose (wrinkled), with a hard coating. [5] [7] [11] They have a basal hilum. [11]

Biochemistry

In 2004, a study of Iris songarica found the presence of 2 isoflavones, Irilin A and Irisone B which were isolated from the iris using a spectrophotometer and Column chromatography. [12]

In May 2008, a study was carried out on the anatomical structure of the leaf and drought resistance of 4 different species of Iris (Iris songarica, Iris potaninii , Iris loczyi and Iris lactea ) from Qinghai, China. It showed that all the species were strongly adaptable to drought conditions. [13]

In October 2008, a study was carried out to isolate the flavonoids from the roots and rhizome of Iris songarica, and what effect they had on estrogenic activity. It found a new dihydro-flavonol (called songaricol), and seven known flavonoids. Some of these compounds had some antioxidant activity in certain cells and some effected yeast cells expressing human estrogen. [14]

In 2008, in previous studies it was known that irises contain iso-flavonoids. A new study was carried out to determine the phytoestorgenic activity of Iris songarica rhizomes and roots. [15]

In 2014, several plant species seed were studied including Iris stocksii (Baker), Iris aitchisonii (Baker) Boiss. and Iris songarica Shrenk. [11]

Genetics

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [10] It has a chromosome count of 2n=20. [16] It was also counted as 2n=22, 44 by (Zahareva and Makeushenko 1968) and (Fedorov 1969). [6]

Taxonomy

It is written as 准噶尔鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as zhun ga er yuan wei in China. [3] [17]

It has the common name of Junggar Iris [18] [19] or Songar Iris. [17] It is known as 'Kampir soch', 'Karakosh', 'Kamchalak', 'Kirka soch', 'Kirka-ch ash' (in Uzbekistan), Kum-bersh (in Kazakhstan) and 'Teke-sakal' (in Turkmenistan). [6] It is known as 'gharwasha' in Pushtu (India). [20]

The Latin specific epithet songarica refers to the region of Songaria in China. Where the iris was first found. [2] Songaria and Kashgaria were the two provinces known as the "New Dominion" during the Dungan Revolt (1862–77). Songaria is now part of Gansu. Kashgar still exists.

It was published and described by Alexander von Schrenk in Enum Pl. Vol.1 page3 in 1841. [21] [22]

It was later published in Gardeners' Chronicle Series 95, page 44 on 20 January 1933. [22]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 2 October 2014, [17] and as of January 2015, it is listed as a tentatively accepted name by the RHS. [23]

Distribution and habitat

Iris songarica is a native to a wide region, of various temperate areas of Central Asia. [17] Ranging from Iran (Persia) to Tibet. [2] [4] [23]

Range

It is found in the western Asian countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. [5] [21] [12] (including Gonabad). [24]

In the middle Asian countries of (the former Soviet Union republics of), it is found in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. [16] [12] [25]

It is found within Turkestan, in the Kopet Dag mountain range. [26]

Also found in Mongolia, and northern China. [7] [8] [9]

In 2010, a study was carried out into the infiltration rate in an arid ecosystem, in Yazd Province, a central region in Iran. Various species of plant were studied including Artemiaia sieberi and Astragalus achrochlarus , (native species that have expanded considerably in extent and density) Other plant species included Astragalus candolleanus , Iris songarica, Stachys inflate , Lactuca glaucifolia , Poa sinaica , Stipa barbata and Agropyron desertorum .[ citation needed ]

Habitat

It is found growing on clay desert steppes or desert positions, [5] [7] [16] in sunny grasslands or dry meadows, on stony hillside and on grassy hillsides. [3] [27]

Cultivation

Iris songarica is not common in cultivation in the UK, [2] [28] or Europe, only be cultivated by collectors or as research plants. [16]

It likes sandy, well drained soils. [27] [28] It can also prefers alkaline soils. [16] It can grow on loamy soils, on sandy gritty soils and gravelly soils. [6]

It prefers positions in full sun. [27]

It needs to be kept dry during the winter (and autumn, if a very wet season is forecast), needing the protection of a bulb frames or similar. [16] [28] It only needs water during the growing season. [28]

In June 1886, a specimen of Iris songarica, collected by C. Kuntze from the deserts of Turkmenistan, was given to The William and Lynda Steere Herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden. [29]

Aphid Dysaphis tulipae can be found on the plant. [30]

Propagation

It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing. It needs stratification (at temperatures of 1-10oC for 1–2 years). This method of seed preparation can get a germination rate of up to 95%. [6]

Uses

In China, there are many studies about this plant, which could be described as a herb, due to it is medicinal antioxidant properties. A powder of the ground up roots are mixed with curd is used as a herbal remedy to treat diarrhoea in Afghanistan. [16] The remedy is also used in Pakistan. [12]

In Russia, the fibrous leaf sheaths (on top of the rhizome, surrounding new leaves) are used in brush production. [7] They are used to create the bristles of the brush. [25]

In Uzbekistan, sheep are known to eat the seed capsules, also some shepherds consider the plant to be poisonous. The dry leaves are often harvested for litter or dry bedding for cattle in barns. It sometimes considered an 'invader' covering large arid areas or abandoned fields which are dry and poor in nutrients. The leaves are known to contain 18% protein, 16% fibre and 12% fat and a large amount of alkaloids. The roots have been used in medicine, used to treat toothache and childhood diseases. It has also been used within the cosmetic industry. [6]

Related Research Articles

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

Iris spuria, or blue flag, is a species of the genus Iris, part of the subgenus Limniris and the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Europe, Asia and Africa. It has purple or lilac flowers, and slender, elongated leaves. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and hybridized for use in the garden. It has several subspecies; Iris spuria subsp. carthaliniae B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. demetrii B.Mathew, Iris spuria subsp. maritima (Dykes) P.Fourn. and Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica (Fomin) Takht. It used to have 3 other subspecies, which have now been re-classified as separate species; Iris spuria subsp. halophila, Iris spuria ssp. sogdiana and Iris spuria subsp. notha . It has many common names including 'blue iris', 'spurious iris' and 'bastard iris'.

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

Iris milesii is a plant species in the genus Iris, subgenus Limniris and in the section Lophiris. 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. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris ruthenica, sometimes called ever blooming iris, Russian iris, pilgrim iris and Hungarian iris, is a species in the genus Iris- subgenus Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, with a wide distribution, ranging from eastern Europe to Central Asia. It has grass-like leaves, thick stem and violet or bluish lavender flowers which are marked with violet veining.

Iris anguifuga 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.

Iris bungei 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 Mongolia, Tibet and China. It has green leaves, short stem and 2 violet, purple, lavender or blue 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.

<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.

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

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 falcifolia is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Hexapogon. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It is a small plant, with sickle-shaped greyish-green leaves, lilac-violet flowers and darker veining, and a white or yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in dry, temperate regions.

Iris longiscapa is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Hexapogon. It is a rhizomatous perennial from the deserts of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They have grass-like leaves and lilac-violet or blue-purple flowers on a tall slender stem.

Iris bloudowii 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 Russia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China, with sickle-shaped leaves, slender stem and 2 bright or pale yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris humilis 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, with a wide distribution range from Europe to Russia to China, via Mongolia and Kazakhstan. It has sword-shaped leaves, a short stem and yellow flowers with an orange 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.

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

Iris hookeriana 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 the Himalayan mountains of India and Pakistan. It has long pale green or yellow green leaves, long slender stem and fragrant blue, purple or lilac flowers, that are mottled with a darker colour. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris kemaonensis, the Kumaon iris, 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 Tibetan China, Bhutan, India, Kashmir and Nepal. It has light green or yellowish green leaves, that extend after flowering time. It has a short stem, 1–2 fragrant flowers that are purple, lilac, lilac-purple or pale purple. They also have darker coloured blotches or spots. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is often known as Iris kumaonensis, due to a publishing error.

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 bicapitata is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Gargano Peninsula, Italy. It has sickle or pointed leaves, shorter than the flowering stem. It has two flowers, which come in variable shades from yellow, white, lilac, blue and violet. They can also be bi-coloured. It is thought to have been derived from Iris pseudopumila. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

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

Iris glaucescens is a plant species in the genus Iris and subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, found in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has blue-grey sickle-shaped leaves, slender stem, and spring flowers in blue-violet, pale violet, lilac-purple, to deep purple, to light bluish, and almost white shades. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and became a synonym of Iris scariosa, before being divided into two separate species again, although some sources still call it a synonym of Iris scariosa.

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

Iris imbricata is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains, within Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. It has broad, sword-like, yellow green or light green leaves, slender stem with branches, inflated and overlapping green spathes, and 2–5 yellow, pale yellow or greenish yellow flowers.

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

Iris marsica is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Apennine Mountains, in Italy. It has glaucous, sickle-shaped or curved, light green leaves, slender stem with 2 branches, and 3 violet, light blue violet, dark violet, and dark purple flowers. It was only found and described since 1973, and is not yet in general cultivation. It was once thought to be a form of Iris germanica, but has different morphological characteristics and different chromosomal differences.

References

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  13. ↑ Wang, Jun; Gao, Yi-ke (May 2008). "Study on the Relationship between Leaf Anatomical Structure and Drought Resistance of Four Species of Iris". Heilongjiang Agricultural Sciences. Landscape Architecture College of Beijing Forestry University, Beijing. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  14. ↑ Moein, Mahmood R.; Khan, Shabana I.; Ali, Zulfiqar; Ayatollahi, Syed A.; Kobarfard, Farzad; Nasim, Shama Nasim (October 2008). "Flavonoids from Iris songarica and their antioxidant and estrogenic activity". Planta Med. 74 (12). ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: 1492–1495. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1081342. PMID   18816429. S2CID   15643.
  15. ↑ Moein, Mahmood R.; Ayatollahi, Syed M.; Kobarfard, Farzad; Nasim, Shama; Ali, Zulfiqar; Choudhary, Muhmmad Iqbal; Khan, I. A. (2008). "Phytoestrogenic activity from Iris songarica Schrenk". Planta Med. 74 (9). doi:10.1055/s-0028-1084144.
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  26. ↑ "ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS". mobot.org. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
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Sources

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