Iris qinghainica

Iris qinghainica 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 grey green leaves, a very short stem and 1–2 blue or violet flowers.

Iris qinghainica
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. qinghainica
Binomial name
Iris qinghainica
Y.T.Zhao
Synonyms[1]

None known

Description

Iris qinghainica has a knobbly rhizome. On top of the rhizome are maroon-brown, fibrous (or straw-like), remnants (of last seasons leaves), as sheaths (of the new leaves).[2][3]

It has linear, narrow, greyish green leaves, that are between 5–25 cm (2–10 in) long and between 2–3 mm wide. They have no obvious veining and end in a sharp point (acuminate).[2][3]

It has a very short flower stem, that often does not emerge from the ground.[2] Overall, (stem and flower) the flower can reach up to 10 cm (4 in) long.[4]

It has 3 green, lanceolate, between 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long and between 0.6–1.8 cm wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).[2][3]

The stems hold between 1 and 2, terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming between June and July.[2][3]

The flowers are 4.5–5 cm (2–2 in) in diameter, and are in shades of blue or violet.[2][3][4]

It has two pairs of petals, three large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'.[5] The falls are narrowly oblanceolate (top wider than the bottom), 3–3.5 cm (1–1 in) long and 5 – 8 mm wide.[2] They have a small white signal patch. The standards are also narrowly oblanceolate, but much smaller, only 3 cm long and 4 mm wide.[2]

It has a filiform (thread-like) 3–6 cm (1–2 in) long, perianth tube.[2][3] Also, 1.8 – 2 cm long stamens, 1.5 cm long ovary and triangular-like, style branches that are 2.5 cm long and 3 mm wide.[2][3] They are the same shade of colour as the petals.

After the iris has flowered, it produces a seed capsule (not described) between June and August.[2][3]

Taxonomy

It is written as 青海鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as qing hai yuan wei in Pinyin Chinese.[2][3][6][7]

It has the common name of 'Qinghai Iris'.[7][8][9]

The Latin specific epithet qinghainica refers to the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, in the northwest of the country of China.

It was published by and described by Yu Tang Zhao in Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica (of Beijing) Vol.18, Issue 1 page 55 in 1980.[10][11]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003.[6]

As of January 2015, it is listed as unchecked by the RHS.[12]

Distribution

Iris qinghainica is endemic to China, in the Chinese provinces of Gansu and Qinghai.[2][3][4][6][9]

It is found in grasslands and meadows, on mountain slopes, and on loess hills.[2][3] It is in temperate habitats, at altitudes of between 2500–3100 m above sea level.[2][3][6][9]

Cultivation

Iris qinghainica is not common in cultivation in the UK. It needs the protection of bulb frames during the winter, protecting it from the winter wet. It only needs water during the growing season.[13]

Uses

In Chinese Materia Medica, it is noted that the seeds of Iris qinghainica are used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The seeds are harvested between July and August. The husk is removed with any other impurities and then dried. The seeds taste bitter or slightly sweet. They are taken as an oral dose. 3–9 g of powder or a decoction. It is used to treat roundworm (as an anthelmintic), pinworm (or threadworm), appendicitis and food poisoning.[3]

References
  1. "Iris qinghainica Y.T.Zhao is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  2. "FOC Vol. 24 Page 305". efloras.org (Flora of China). Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  3. "Qīnɡ Hǎi Yuān Wěi Zǐ". fancai.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  5. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.}
  6. "Iris qinghainica". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  7. "Iris qinghainica". flph.org. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. "Sect. Limniris Tausch". frps.eflora.cn. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  9. "Qinghai Iris". zhiwutong.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  10. "Iridaceae Iris qinghainica Y.T.Zhao". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  11. Franco, Alain (2 December 2013). "(Spec) Iris qinghainica Zhao". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  12. "Iris qinghainica". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  13. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 139. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.

Other sources
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 201.
  • Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.
  • Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994–. Flora of China (English edition).
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