Iris tenuifolia | |
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Flower head of Iris tenuifolia in Kazakhstan | |
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. tenuifolia |
Binomial name | |
Iris tenuifolia | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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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, (the former Soviet Union republics of); 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 tenuifolia is very similar in form to the Mediterranean Iris unguicularis . As they both have very small stems and the seed capsules are often hidden within the leaves of the plant. [2]
It has a dark brown, thin, short, knobbly, tough, wood-like rhizomes. [3] [4] [5] Underneath, it has a network of fibrous roots. [6] On top of the rhizome, at the base of the leaves, are the brown or red-brown, fibrous remains of the previous seasons leaves. Which act as sheaths, for the new leaves. [3] [5] [7] The sheaths can be up to 6–20 cm (2–8 in) long. [6] [5]
It can be either a single plant or can grow into thick clumps of plants. [5] [8]
It has greyish-green, linear, twisted, leaves, that can grow between 20–60 cm (8–24 in) long and 1.5–2 mm wide. [7] [9] [10] They do not have a mid-vein but parallel veins, [3] [4] [6] and are acuminate (ending in a point). [5] They continue to grow after blooming, and can end up as a mass of twisted leaves. [11]
The leaves are longer than the flowering stems. [5]
It has a very short flowering stem or scape, 10–30 cm (4–12 in) long. [12] [13] [14] Although, sometimes the stems do not emerge above ground. [3]
It has 2 to 4, pointed (acuminate), membranous, green, between 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and 8–10 mm wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud). [3] [6] [7]
The stems hold normally 1–3, terminal (top of stem) flowers, [7] [9] [15] blooming in spring, between April and May, [3] [6] [13] or late as early June (in Russia). [10]
The scented flowers, [5] are 4–7 cm (2–3 in) in diameter, [7] and come in shades of pale violet, [3] [14] lilac, [5] [15] [14] pale blue, [9] [15] [13] or purple. [4] [10] [13] 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'. [16] The falls are spatulate (spoon shaped) or obovate-lanceolate, [4] [6] 4.5–6 cm (2–2 in) long and 1.5 cm (1 in) wide. [3] [6] [7] They have a thin central yellow crest or mid-vein, dark veins (on a pale colour), and a band of papillose (or small hairs). [3] [5] [14] The narrower, oblanceolate, erect standards are 5 cm (2 in) long and 5–9 mm wide. [3] [4] [6]
It has a long, slender thread-like, perianth tube, 4.5–8 cm (2–3 in) long. [3] [5] [7]
It has 3 single coloured, style branches, 4 cm (2 in) long and 4–5 mm wide. [3] They attenuate (narrow slightly) and at the tips, are toothed. [4] [6] [5]
It has a slender 3–4 mm long pedicel, [5] 3 cm (1 in) long Stamens and a cylindric 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long and 2 mm wide, ovary. [3]
After the iris has flowered, between late July and early August (in Russia), [10] or between August and September (in China). It produces an ovoid or sub-globose, 3.2–4.5 cm (1–2 in) long and 1.2–1.8 cm (0–1 in) wide, seed capsule. It has short beak-like appendage on the top. [3] [4] [6]
The seeds are oval (or turbinate – like a top) shaped, wrinkled and black-brown to brown. [6] [5] [10]
Often, the seed capsule is hidden by the long leaves. [2]
In February 1997, a study was published in which 6 new flavanones, isolated from the rhizomes of Iris tenuifolia, using high resolution mass spectrometry. [17]
In 2005, it was noted that the rhizomes of Iris tenuifolia are the source of the largest number of new 2’-O-substituted simple flavanones within a single species. [18]
Between 2007 and 2011, a study was carried out on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Iris tenuifolia and Iris halophila . Using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The irises have been used in various tradition herbal remedy's, such as traditional Mongolian herb medicine and Uighur herb medicine. [19]
In 2008, several chemical compounds were extracted from Iris tenuifolia. These included; 'izalpinin', 'alpinone', 'arborinone', 'irilin B', 'irisone A', 'irisone B', 'betavulgarin', 'beta-sitosterol' '5,7-dihydroxy-2', '6-dimethoxy-isoflavone' , 2',5-dihdroxy-6,7-methylenedioxy flavanone, 'irisoid A' and 'ethyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside'. Also 2 new compounds were found, tenuifodione and tenuifone. All found using spectroscopic methods. [20]
In 2011, 2 flavans and a flavanone, were extracted from the rhizomes of Iris tenuifolia and then tested against stem cells. [21]
In 2012, a genetic study was carried out on Iris laevigata and several of its closely related iris species, including Iris ensata , Iris setosa , Iris halophila , Iris scariosa , Iris potaninii , Iris tenuifolia, Iris bloudowii , and Iris sanguinea . [22]
In 2014, the characteristics of phenotypic plasticity and ecological adaptation of Iris tenuifolia from various habitats in Xinjiang, China, were studied. [23]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. [16] It has a chromosome count: 2n=14. [3] [24]
It is written as 细叶鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as xi ye yuan wei in Pinyin Chinese. [3] [4] [25]
The Latin specific epithet tenuifolia comes from the almagamtion of two Latin words tenuis meaning 'fine or thin' and folia mean leaf. [26]
It has the common names of Egeria Iris. [27] [28] Note; 'Egeria' means water buffaloes or cows pulling (in China). [4] Another common name is narrow leafed iris, [29] or fine leaved iris, [30] or slender-leaf iris, [25] or silk leaves Iris. [4] [27]
It was published and described by Peter Simon Pallas in Reise Russ. Reich. Vol.3 on page 714 in 1776. [31]
It was introduced to Russia in 1812, and was noted as growing in the front garden of Mr. A. Razumovsky near Moscow. [30]
It was later published with an illustration in The Gardeners' Chronicle 3rd. Series Vol.59 on page 196 on 8 April 1916. [32]
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 2 October 2014, [25] then as of January 2015, it is listed as a tentatively accepted name by the RHS. [33]
Iris tenuifolia is native to a wide region, of various temperate areas of Central Asia. [25] [33] Which extends from the Volga through Turkestan into Mongolia, [12] and China.
It is found in the western Asian countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. [3] [6] [25]
Also in the middle Asian countries of (the former Soviet Union republics of); Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. [3] [14] [25] Also found in regions of Russia, including Agin-Buryat Okrug, Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk, Chita and Siberia. [13] [14] [25] It is listed with Iris bloudowii , Iris humilis , Iris ruthenica , Iris sibirica and Iris tigridia as being found in the Altai-Sayan region (where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together). [34]
It is found within central China, [9] [10] [14] in the provinces of Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, (Shandong [3] ), Shanxi, Xinjiang and Xizang. [3] [4] [25]
One reference mentions Turkey, [6] another reference mentions Iran. [11] Since most others do not mention these countries, they are not regarded as valid.
It is grown in semi-desert, desert or mild mountainous areas. [15]
On sandy steppes, on dunes, beside sandy riverine grasslands or river banks, on dry coastal sand regions, on gravelly desert-like slopes and in the crevices of rocks. [8] [10] [15]
It is also grown at altitudes of 1000 to 4200m above sea level. [6] [8] [13]
In north east China, it is found growing on poor soils on open tree-less plains. [11]
In 2003, it was listed as an endemic vascular species of the temperate steppe region of Inner Mongolia, China, along with Stipa grandis , Artemisia frigida , Festuca ovina , Thymus serpyllum , Caragana microphylla , Koeleria cristata and others. [35]
It is included in the IUCN 'Red Data Book' of the Chita Oblast of 2002, listed as 'rare'. It is now protected in Dauria and Khopyor reserves. [30]
Iris tenuifolia is rare in cultivation in the UK. [9] [36] It is rare in cultivation in the US as well. [11]
They are more grown by specialised collectors or for scientific and research purposes. [6] [11]
It was sometimes used as annual plant and only planted during the summer (in the UK, in 1800s). [36]
It is hardy, if sited in a northern continental climate. Similar to Nebraska, North Dakota or South Dakota. [11] It is hardy in parts of Russia. It has been grown in Moscow, St Petersburg and Chita. [10]
It prefers sandy or sandy loam soils, similar to the desert habitat. [6] [9] [15] It prefers alkaline soils. [8]
They prefer positions in full sun. [8]
It needs to be kept dry during winter, needing the protection of bulb frames (in the UK). It only needs water during the growing period. [9] The plant loses its foliage during the winter, as it is removed by the forces of wind, snow and other bad weather conditions. It then re-grows leaves, in April and May. [11]
It has high drought and heat tolerance (desert-like conditions). [8] [11] [15]
The seed of Iris tenuifolia is rarely used by western horticulturists, as the plants rarely flower. [11] William Rickatson Dykes notes that it made no satisfactory growth and never flowered. [2]
In other flowering regions, the seed can be harvested in autumn, washed, fresh or dried. [6]
Due to its high drought and heat resistance, it could be useful in breeding purposes. [10] [30]
In 2001, a study was carried to monitor the effects of the iris, within a herbal remedy for kidney protection was carried out. [29]
The Iris genus has been used as a traditional folk medicine, used to treat a variety of diseases, such as cancer, inflammation, bacterial and viral infections. [37] It was found that compounds isolated from Iris germanica have anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-malarial parasite and anti-TB and other positive effects. [38]
The roots, seeds and flowers of the iris, are used as ingredients in herbal medicines. They have been used as tocolysis (also called anti-contraction medications or labor represents) and to treat fetal metrorrhagia. [6]
On 24 December 2009, a patent was granted, for the extraction of Iris tenuifolia. Due to its chemical compounds being used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [37]
Iris sanguinea is a rhizomatous flowering plant in the genus Iris and in the series Sibiricae. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is one of the species considered a Japanese iris. It is from Asia, found between Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea. It has grey green leaves, an unbranched flowering stem and flowers in reddish-purple shades, from blue to blue-purple, red-violet, with a rare white variant.
Iris lactea is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Limniris and is the only species in the series Ensatae. The Japanese water iris, Iris ensata, is actually in series Laevigatae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from central Asia, with pale blue or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
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 uniflora is a species in the genus Iris and in the subgenus Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Russia, Mongolia, China and Korea. It has thin grass-like leaves and stems, and purple, blue-purple or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
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.
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 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 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 ludwigii, with the common name Ludwig iris, is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus Iris subg. Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant with violet-blue flowers. It is native to the Altai Mountains in Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan meet. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris spuria subsp. carthaliniae is a species in the genus Iris. It is also in the subgenus of Limniris and in the series Spuriae. It is a subspecies of Iris spuria, a rhizomatous perennial plant, from the Caucasus region, it is a tall iris with sky blue or white flowers. It was originally described by Fomin, as a separate species before Brian Mathew in 1981, added it to Iris spuria as one of its many subspecies. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
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.
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.
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 vorobievii 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 Russia close to the Chinese border. It has long and thin green leaves, similar sized stem and pale yellow or bright yellow flowers with a pale yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Iris ivanovae is a plant species in the genus Iris and part of the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from eastern Russia, China, and Mongolia.
Iris tigridia 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 Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and China. It has dark green or greyish green, grass-like leaves, a short slender stem and a single flowers that are either violet, dark blue, blue-purple, dark purple, mauve, lilac, lavender, or light purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
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.
Iris scariosa is a plant species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial from the mountainsides of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. It has sword-like, or sickle shaped, blue green or grey-green leaves, a short flowering stem, 3 or 4 membranous or semi-transparent flower bud leaves, 2 violet, reddish violet, lilac, blue-purple, or blue flowers in late spring, with yellow or white beards. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It was merged with another similar iris in the region, and Iris glaucescens became a synonym of Iris scariosa, before being divided into two separate species again. Although some sources still call it the main species, despite a slight colour difference.