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.
Iris curvifolia | |
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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 Y.T.Zhao | |
Synonyms[1] | |
None known |
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]
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]
It is native to temperate regions of Asia.[9]
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]
It grows in the meadows and grasslands on hillsides.[3][4][6]
It is rare and not in general cultivation in the UK.[5]
Iris subg. Iris | |
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Section Iris |
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Section Oncocyclus |
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Section Hexapogon | |
Section Psammiris | |
Section Pseudoregelia | |
Section Regelia |
Taxon identifiers |
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