Iris curvifolia
| 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.
Description[edit]
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]
Taxonomy[edit]
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]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
It is native to temperate regions of Asia.[9]
Range[edit]
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]
Habitat[edit]
It grows in the meadows and grasslands on hillsides.[3][4][6]
Cultivation[edit]
It is rare and not in general cultivation in the UK.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Iris curvifolia Y.T.Zhao is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Franco, Alain (4 December 2013). "(SPEC) Iris curvifolia Zhao". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "FOC Vol. 24 Page 310". efloras.org (Flora of China). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Curved leaf Iris". frps.eflora.cn. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation, p. 59, at Google Books
- ^ a b c d e f g h Waters, Tom (29 January 2011). "Iris curvifolia". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ Austin, Claire (2005). Irises; A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN 0881927309.
- ^ a b c d e "Iris curvifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Curved leaf Iris". zhiwutong.com. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ Smith, A.W.; Stearn, William T. (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). Cassell and Company (published 1963). p. 108. ISBN 0304937215.
- ^ a b "Iridaceae Iris curvifolia Y.T. Zhao". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ^ Qian, YiBing; Zhang, HaiYan; Wu, ZhaoNing; Wang, ZhongChen (2011). "Vegetation composition and distribution on the northern slope of Karlik Mountain to Naomaohu basin, East Tian shan Mountains" (PDF). Journal of Arid Land. 3 (1): 15–24. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1227.2011.00015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
Sources[edit]
- Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 194.
- Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.
- Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994–. Flora of China
External links[edit]
Data related to Iris curvifolia at Wikispecies
