Iris confusa

Iris confusa (also known as the bamboo iris (simplified Chinese: 扁竹兰; traditional Chinese: 扁竹蘭; pinyin: Biǎn zhú lán) is a species of iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the section Lophiris(crested irises). It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, native to Western China. It has flowers which range from white to a soft lavender or pale blue in colour, with orange-yellow crests and purple dots. The plant's broad, shiny leaves are attached to bamboo-like stems. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Iris confusa
An Iris confusa flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Limniris
Section: Iris sect. Lophiris
Species:
I. confusa
Binomial name
Iris confusa
Synonyms[1]

None known

Description

Iris confusa is similar in form to Iris japonica and Iris wattii. Iris confusa is larger than Iris japonica in all parts,[2] with more attractive foliage.[3] Compared to Iris wattii, it is smaller and has smaller flowers.[4][5]

I. confusa has stout, creeping rhizomes.[6][7] They are short and bamboo-like.[8][9] It also has short stolons.[10] On the upper side of the rhizome are various scars and the remains of last season's leaves.[6] The plant has a creeping habit, eventually forming thick clumps.[11][12][13]

This plant has 10 or more leaves that are grouped together as a fan-shape.[8][14][15]

Unlike, most irises, the foliage is held at the top of the bamboo-like stems, rather than basally,[2][6][16] so it looks more like a palm.[3] The sword-shaped,[6][7][17] or strap-shaped,[12][13] leaves are yellowish-green,[6][7] to bright green,[8] glossy on the upper side,[9][17][18] and glaucous on the underside.[6] They are lighter in colour than Iris japonica leaves,[11] and are normally thought to be evergreen.[11][18][19] The leaves can grow to between 28–80 cm (11–31 in) tall and 3–6 cm (1–2 in) wide.[6][9][13] They veins are not noticeable,[6] and the leaves tend to flop over.[14]

It has flattened,[7] (bamboo) cane-like stems,[20] that can grow up to between 25–120 cm (10–47 in) tall.[15][21][22] It has 5–8 slender flower branches (or pedicels) near top of the plant.[6][10][12] The stiff pedicels are 1.5–2 cm long.[6] The stems can lie along the ground (after flowering) and can eventually produce roots, creating larger clumps of this plant.[11][17]

There are 4–6 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are generally membranous. They are 1.5 cm wide.[6]

The stems hold between 3 and 5 flowers,[6][9] in spring and early summer,[10][11][12] between April and May.[4][6][17] In the UK, it can flower in early spring, if the plant is protected from freezing.[16] The flowers are short lived, but since one large plant can have as many as 75 flowers,[13] a continuous display can last for several weeks.[11][16]

The flowers are 4–5.5 cm (2–2 in) in diameter,[5][6][9] and come in shades of soft lavender,[5][8][13] to pale blue, to white.[3][20][23]

I. confusa has 2 sets of tepals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals, known as the 'standards'.[18] The falls are elliptical, have a rounded outer portion (retuse), and have a wide limb (section of the petal closest to the stem); they are 2–3 cm (1–1 in) cm long and 1.5–2 cm wide.[6] On the fall is a yellow or yellow-orange ridge (or crest).[5][6][9] Surrounding the crest/ridge are orange-yellow,[3][5][6] or pale mauve,[3][11] or purple spots.[5][12][13] The standards are broadly lanceolate and have a rounded top (retuse). They are 2.5 cm long and 1 cm wide.[6] Both sets of tepals have wavy or scalloped edges.[3][6][9]

It has pale blue style branches, 2 cm long and 8mm wide, which have fringed lobes.[6][10]

The perianth tube is 1.5 cm long, enclosing 1.5 cm stamens, a 6mm ovary and yellow anthers.[6] The plant produces an ellipsoid seed capsule,[6][7][11] between May and July,[6] 2.5–3.5 cm (1–1 in) cm long and 1–1.4 cm wide, with 6 visible ribs.[6] Inside the ripened capsule are "D"-shaped,[11] dark brown seeds.[6][7]

Genetics


I. confusa is diploid, with 15 pairs of chromosomes.[5][24][25]

In 2009, a study was carried out on ten Iris species from China. Including Iris confusa, Iris japonica and Iris wattii. It was found that Iris japonica and Iris wattii, were more closely related to each other than to Iris confusa.[26]

Taxonomy

It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (confusa) kon-FEW-suh.[19]

It has the common name of 'bamboo iris'.[13][23][27][28]

It is written as 扁竹兰 in Chinese script,[6] and known as bian zhu lan in Pidgin in China.[6] Bian zhu lan is translated into English as 'flat bamboo-orchid'.[29]

The Latin specific epithet confusa refers to confusus from – uncertain, easily mistake and mingle.[30][31]

In 1911, William Rickatson Dykes obtained seeds from Pere Ducloux, a French missionary (1864-1945),[32] who had found specimens of the iris in Yunnan.[11][33] Dykes later compared the plants (he grew) in 1915, with specimens in the Kew Gardens Herbarium, and thought they were similar to Iris wattii, and so were a form of Iris wattii.[4][11][33]

Between 1924 and 1926, Dr. Stapf of Kew re-examined the specimens and concluded that they were more similar to Iris japonica. He died in 1933, without publishing his findings.[11][33]

In 1931, Major Lawrence Johnson found a specimen near Tengyeh, in Yunnan. It was looked at by Kew and realised to be a specimen of Iris wattii.[11][33]

It was first published and described by Joseph Robert Sealy in The Gardeners' Chronicle in 1937.[6][33][34]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003 and then updated on 2 December 2004.[29]

Iris confusa is an accepted name by the RHS.[27]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to temperate regions of Asia.[29]

Range

It is found in China,[2][17][21] within the Chinese provinces, of Guangxi,[6][9][29] Guizhou,[6][29] Sichuan,[15][29][34] and Yunnan.[4][15][29]

Habitat

It grows beside forests (and woods),[7][9][18] in open groves,[7] on hillside grasslands (and meadows),[7][9][18] and in ditches.[6][7] It can also be found growing on in the midst of rocks and scrub on sharp or steep slopes.[4][15]

They can be found at an altitude of 1,600–2,400 metres (5,200–7,900 ft) above sea level.[6]

Cultivation

It is hardy to between USDA Zone 9 – Zone 11.[19][22] It is thought hardy to −5C, it can be left outdoors in warm parts of the USA, such as California.[15] It is also hardy to European Zone H4.[10] In Britain (and some parts of Europe),[9] it is classed as Tender, so can be grown in a pot and then over-winter in a cool greenhouse.[4][9][15][18] In Australia, it can be grown beneath shrubs, used as frost protection.[18]

It can be grown in well-drained,[11] light rich (containing humus) soils.[9] It can tolerate neutral or acidic soils (PH levels between 6.5 – 7.8).[13][19][22] It slightly prefers acidic soils (including peat banks).[3][16]

It can tolerate positions between full sun and partial shade.[13][16][23]

It does prefer sites out of strong winds, due to the height of the plant and delicate flowers.[16]

It has average water needs during the growing season.[9][13][19] But wet or damp conditions during the winter may cause the root to rot.[9]

It can be grown in a mixed flower border.[13][22] Due to its shallow roots, the iris prefers a mulch of peat, well decayed leaf mould or similar.[11] The mulch also helps with the frost protection as well.

It can be also grown in containers, in sheltered positions.[14][16] Such as a 30–35 cm wide pot, which is well drained and filled with ericaceous soils.[3][11]

It can be affected by slugs and snails.[9][13]

The stems and dead leaves should be removed after flowering to keep the plant tidy and help it, for next years growth.[11][16][35] Then the stems should be removed to ground level.[11]

It is found in specialised iris nurseries,[5] and plants can be seen growing within the temperate house at Kew.[17]

Propagation

It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing.[19][36]

The division of the rhizomes should done after flowering,[11] between September and November.[9]

It also can be propagated by stem cuttings. If the cuttings are immersed in water for between 1–2 weeks. The roots will soon emerge and the new plant can be potted, and prepared for the garden later.[11][14] Better results are gained if the water, contains lumps of charcoal.[14]

To propagate from seed, collect seed from the capsules, when ripe and sow the seeds in vented containers, within a cold frame or in unheated greenhouse.[19]

Hybrids and cultivars

It has several named cultivars.[33]

Including;

  • 'Beccles',[33]
  • 'Chengdu', (height 102 cm, glossy rich green leaves,[37] bluish-lavender petals, with darker purple markings surrounding yellow and white blotches on the crests, in spring,[37] has a slight vanilla aroma)[13][37]
  • 'F1 Hybrid',[33]
  • 'Martyn Rix', (height 85 cm, has blue orchid-like flowers between May and July, shade tolerant)[17][18][38]
  • 'Nobody's Child',[33]
  • 'Nova', (height 60 cm, has pale blue and white flowers between May and June)[39]
  • 'Wattii' (Dykes').[33]

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 in susceptible individuals.[19]

Uses

I. confusa is used within Yunnan as an ingredient in Chinese herbal medicines.[9][20]

Within the province of Guangxi, the Kam people of 'Gaoxiu Village', use the leaves (of the iris) for healing broken bones and sprains. The leaves are macerated and applied as a poultice, with a splint for supporting and immobilizing the affected area of the body. Plant healer, 'Yang Chang Jun' believes that Iris confusa is among the most valued medicinal plants for treating fractures and sprains.[7] A patent in China, was made for Iris confusa medicinal tea, (made from the blue flowers of the iris), which is thought to help patients with acute tonsillitis, acute laryngopharyngitis, acute bronchitis, nephritis edema and urinary tract infections.[40]

gollark: Idea: x86 obfuscator which just transpiles your code to JavaScript, minifies and incomprehensiblifies it, and ships an entire JS runtime.
gollark: And yet it can apparently be "spoiled" easily?
gollark: ... "security through obscurity" → highly uncool
gollark: apioid.
gollark: From a popular movie.

References
  1. "Iris confusa Sealy is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  2. "Crested Irises". pacificbulbsociety.org. 22 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  3. Pavord, Anna (1 June 1996). "How to win over your iris With sunshine and good drainage, you can grow bearded iris in the most unpromising of soils". The Independent. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  4. "Evansia Or Crested Irises". herbs2000.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  5. Zera, Sean (8 December 2013). "Iris confusa". signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America). Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  6. "FOC Vol. 24 Page 308". efloras.org (Flora of China). Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  7. Eisenberg, Amy; Amato, John; (no surname), Dengtao. "Kam Guilzhouh nyim Guangxxih di Benxtux Wenchual nyim Zihyuanc dih Gonxliix (Kam Local Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Resource Management in Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces)" (PDF). Ethnobotany Journal. 7. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  8. Simon Rickard The New Ornamental Garden, p. 164, at Google Books
  9. "Chapter II iris clump and other (part3)". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  10. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) , p. 258, at Google Books
  11. British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation, p. 110, at Google Books
  12. Jenny Hendy and Annelise Evans (Editors)RHS What Plant Where Encyclopedia, p. 316, at Google Books
  13. Nickel, Erle (22 March 2013). "Bamboo iris lights up garden". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  14. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
  15. Phillips, Roger; Rix, Martyn (1991). Perennials Vol. 1. Pan Books Ltd. p. 186. ISBN 9780330327749.
  16. Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. ISBN 0715305395.
  17. "Growing Iris Confusa". gardenerstips.co.uk. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  18. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.}
  19. "PlantFiles: Bamboo Iris". davesgarden.com. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  20. Holly Kerr Forsyth (Editor) The Constant Gardener, p. 111, at Google Books
  21. "Iris summary" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  22. "Iris confusa". senteursduquercy.com. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  23. John Greenlee The American Meadow Garden: Creating a Natural Alternative to the traditional lawn, p. 116, at Google Books
  24. Huanling, Shu; Yen, Chi; Junlinag, Yang (April 1992). "CYTOLOGICAL STUDY ON IRIS CONFUSA SEALY". Journal of Sichuan Agricultural University. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  25. Yonghong, Zhou; Bihua, Wu; Ji, Yan; Ruiwu, Yang; Chunbang, Ding; Li, Zhang (2003). "Cytogenetic study on the interspecific hybrid between Iris japonica and Iris confusa (Irisaceae)". Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 25 (4): 497–502. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  26. Yu, Xiao-Fang; Zhang, Hai-Qing; Yuan, Ming; Zhou, Yong-Hong (2009). "Karyotype studies on ten Iris species (Iridaceae) from Sichuan, China" (PDF). Caryologia. 62 (3): 253–260. doi:10.1080/00087114.2004.10589690. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  27. "Iris confusa". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  28. Madeit, Anna (10 May 2013). "Iris confusa a.k.a. Bamboo Iris – one of my absolute Top Ten garden picks for spring!". thecreativeflux.wordpress.com. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  29. "Iris confusa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  30. Sue Gordon (Editor) Horticulture – Plant Names Explained: Botanical Terms and Their Meaning, p. 58, at Google Books
  31. Stearn, William (1972). A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names. London: Cassell. p. 99. ISBN 0304937215.
  32. "Ducloux, Père Francois". kiki.huh.harvard.edu. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  33. Franco, Alain (16 March 2015). "(SPEC) Iris confusa Sealy". wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  34. "Iridaceae Iris confusa Sealy". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  35. "Plant Collections: SOUTHERN CHINA COLLECTION". rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  36. Bihua, Wu; Ji, Yan; Yonghong, Zhou; Wenxia, Zuo (1998). "Inhibitory affects of seed coat on seed germination in Iris confusa and its hybrid". Journal of Sichuan Agricultural University. Triticeae Research Institute. 16 (3): 337–340. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  37. "Iris evansia Crested Iris Chengdu". historiciris.blogspot.co.uk. April 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  38. "Iris confusa Martyn Rix". cgf.net. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  39. "Iris confusa Nova". cgf.net. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  40. "Iris confusa seuluy health-care tea". Retrieved 27 March 2015.

Other sources
  • Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 69-71–78.
  • Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.
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