Iris tectorum (also known as roof iris, Japanese roof iris and wall iris) is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris. It is a rhizomatous perennial. It is native of China, Korea and Burma, with lavender-blue, bluish-violet, purple-blue, blue-lilac or sky blue flowers. There is a white form as well. It is a compact plant and is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions of the world.
Iris tectorum | |
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Wall iris (Iris tectorum) | |
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. tectorum |
Binomial name | |
Iris tectorum Maxim. | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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It has a thick,[2][3][4] (the size of a man's thumb),[5] creeping,[5][6][7] buff (coloured),[8] or greenish rhizome.[9][10] They are similar in form to a bearded iris rhizome.[11][12] It has slender, short roots (under the rhizomes),[8][13] and fibres on the top.[13] The creeping habit, creates spreading clumps of plants.[14][15][16] It does not produce stolons.[5]
It has basal fans,[17][18][19] that are yellowish green,[13] or pale green,[20][21][22] and sword-shaped (ensiform),[10][23][24] or lance-shaped.[8][3][25] They are also, glossy,[5][24][15] and ribbed,[8][19][26] and can grow up to between 15–60 cm (6–24 in) long and 1.5–5 cm (1–2 in) wide.[19][27][28] The leaves are floppy,[23][22] and described as semi-evergreen.[25][27][23]
It has terete (cylindrical),[6] stems that can grow up to between 20–45 cm (8–18 in) tall.[29][30][31] It has 1–2 branches,[9][22][27] and 1–2 (reduced) stem leaves.[8][5][32]
The stems have 2–3 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are green,[6] lanceolate and 3.5–7.5 cm (1–3 in) long and 2–2.5 cm (1–1 in) wide.[13][5]
It has a 1 cm long pedicel (flower stalk),[13] which is shorter than the spathe,[5] but similar in size to the ovary.[6]
The stems (and the branches) hold between 1 and 3 flowers,[32][27][33] in late spring,[15][18][29] or early summer,[2][18][21] between April and May,[27][34][35] or June.[19][22][34] It flowers between September and October in Australia.[17] The flower display can last for 2 weeks.[23] The flowers are 7.6–10 cm (3–4 in) in diameter,[29][36][37] The flattened,[26][28][33] horizontal,[38] flowers are larger than Iris japonica flowers.[39]
The flowers come in shades of lavender blue,[33][31][38] or bluish violet,[20][31][39] or blue-lilac,[26][40][37] or purple-blue,[25][32][26] or sky blue.[30][19][36] There is also a white form.[31][38][39]
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'.[4][10] The falls are obovate (egg-like),[11][6] or ovate,[13] with darker (or brownish purple/violet).[10] mottling,[2][19][26] veining,[9][24][40] streaks,[6][10] or spots,[2][11][4][25] around a toothed or lacinated (fringed),[8][5] white crest.[40][37][39] They have a bi-coloured claw (part of the petal closest to the stem), white and violet or lilac.[5][6] The falls are 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long and 4 cm wide.[5][9][32] The elliptic standards spread horizontally (not erect),[9][22][26] and are 4.5–5 cm (2–2 in) long and 3 cm wide.[13][11] Both petals (falls and standards) can have wavy margins.[4][22][34]
The flowers are self-fertile,[8] but are pollinated by insects.[24]
It has a 2.5–3 cm long slender, perianth tube,[5][6][9] a 2.5 cm long stamen, bright yellow anthers and a cylindric, 1.8–2 cm long ovary.[13] It has a pale bluish-violet style branch, that is 3.5 cm long.[13] It has toothed lobes (at the tips), that are irregular.[6][9]
After the iris has flowered, between June and August,[13][20] it produces an ellipsoid or obovoid (oblong-ovoid),[13][8] light green,[15] seed capsule.[10][32] It is 4.5–6 cm (2–2 in) long and 2–2.5 cm wide,[13][8][32] and has 6 ribs.[8] When it ripens, (and goes brown,[24]) it splits in three, along 2 or more seams, starting from the top.[8][32] Inside, are multiple,[24][32] black-brown seeds,[13][24] which are pyriform (pear shaped) and have a small cream (coloured) aril (appendage).[13][8]
In 1994, a study was carried out to isolate various chemical compounds from the seeds of Iris tectorum, it found an ester 'iristectorene B'.[41]
In 1999, a study was carried out Iris tectorum rhizomes, it found a triterpenoid chemical compound.[42]
In 2007, a study was carried out on cytotoxic properties of Iris tectorum, used to treat cancer.[43]
In May 2007, a study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris tectorum, to find various chemical compounds.[44]
In 2009, a karyotype analysis was carried out on 10 Irises found in China, and found that Iris tectorums was 2n=28.[45]
In 2011, Isoflavones such as tectoridin, iristectorin B and iristectorin A have been found in the rhizomes of Iris tectorum. They were published in the Journal of Chromatography B, Vol. 879, Issue 13, pages 975–980.[46]
In 2012, a study was carried out on the leaves of Iris tectorum for anti cancer properties.[47]
In 2013, a study was carried on Iris tectorum to isolate various chemical compounds.[48]
In 2013, a molecular phylogenetic (genetic evolution) study was carried out on 16 species of Iris found in Korea. It placed Iris mandshurica in a clade with other basal irises, including Iris dichotoma and Iris tectorum.[49]
In January 2014, a study was carried out on the neuro-protective activities of Iris tectorum.[50]
Several isoflavones have been found in Iris tectorum. Iris tectorigenin A is found in Iris florentina, Iris tectorum, Iris pseudacorus, Iris kumaonensis and Belamcanda chinensis (iris domestica). Iristectorin B (C23H24O12) can be found in the rhizomes of Iris tectorum, iris-tectorigenin B found in Iris germanica and Iris tectorum and iristectorin A (which is also found in Belamcanda chinensis).[51]
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[4] Diploid counts include 2n=28, Simonet, 1932; 2n=32, Sharma, 1970; 2n=28, Chimphamba, 1973; 2n=28, Karihaloo, 1978; 2n=28, Karihaloo, 1984; 2n=28, Huiang, 1986; 2n=36, Mao & Xue, 1986; 2n=28, Huang 1989; and 2n=32, Dong et al., 1994.[6] It is normally designated as 2 n = 24, 28, 32.[13][8][40]
It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (tectorum) tek-TOR-um.[29][31]
It is written as 鸢尾 in Chinese script,[13] and known as yuan wei in Pidgin in China.[18][52][53]
It has several common names, including; roof iris,[53][54][55] Japanese roof iris,[31][38][54] wall iris (in America),[55][56][57] wall flag,[3][7] white root iris,[21][31] Ichihatu (In Japan – meaning first as the first iris to flower),[7][58][59] shenan,[52][53] and roof garden iris.[33]
It is known as Dach-Schwertlilie in German and takiris in Swedish.[52][53]
The Latin specific epithet tectorum refers to Latin word for roof or covering.[7][22][60]
Iris tectorum is native to China, but was first discovered in the 1860s, growing in Japan on the roofs, hence the common name.[23]
It was first published and described by Karl Maximovich in the 'Bulletin of Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg' Volume15 page380 in 1871.[5][52][61]
It was published in Flor. Serres Vol.22 page 23 in 1874, with a colour illustration,[6] then published by Hooker in Curtis's Botanical Magazine table 6118 in September, 1874,[5][6] and in the 'Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society' Vol88 page116 in 1963.[9]
It was introduced to England and European cultivation in 1874,[4][6] by Philipp Franz von Siebold, who sent plants to St Petersburg.[8] It was also introduced to US cultivation by Mr William Bull in 1874.[5][33]
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 2 April 1996 and updated on 1 December 2004.[52]
Iris tectorum is an accepted name by the RHS.[54]
It is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia.[12][52][53]
It is found in (central and south western),[8][2][62] China,[37][53][54] within the Chinese provinces, of Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan and Zhejiang.[13][52]
Also found in Korea,[40][52][62] and within (the tropical region) of Myanmar (Burma).[52][57][62]
It is often cited as native to Japan,[20][33][55] but it may just be naturalized.[2][11][27]
It has naturalized in Bhutan and India.[16] It has also naturalized in regions of America, including New Hampshire.[56]
It grows on forest margins, on sunny banks, in meadows, in damp places and beside water.[24][16][20] It can also be found growing along roadsides and on steep hillsides, in China.[4][27]
They can be found at an altitude of 500–3,500 m (1,600–11,500 ft) above sea level.[13][12][16]
In New Hampshire, as a wild flower, it is found on the edges of lawns and fields, beside roadsides and in compost heaps.[56]
The cultivation of Iris tectorum is very similar to that of Iris japonica and Iris milesii.[33]
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 4 and Zone 9.[29][31][55] It is hardy to European Zone H2,[9] meaning it can tolerate temperatures as low as −10,[12] but needs protection from hard frosts.[36] Older plants can survive some frosts but young plants need protection in the spring.[37] Both the blue and white forms of the iris, are perfectly hardy.[5][33] It is hardy in the UK,[3] but it does not flower very well, due to the summers not being hot enough to bake the roots.[35] After flowering, it is best to remove the old stems from Iris confusa, Iris japonica and Iris tectorum, as this helps the plant survive the winter.[12][63]
It prefers to grow in humus, rich,[28][36][57] moist soil,[29][55][57] with good drainage.[28][37][57]
During spring or autumn, a top dressing of well rotted compost (or well rotted manure),[11] should be added,[8][37] a feed of fertilizer can also be added.[11][17][28] A mulch can also be applied (at the same time) to retain the moisture.[36][57]
It can tolerate neutral or acidic soils (pH levels between 6.1 – 7.8).[21][28][29]
It can tolerate positions between full sun and partial shade,[55][57][62] but prefers light shade,[20][39][55] In full sun, the leaves can bleach.[11] (similar to woodland conditions).[17] Although, a few sources say it prefers a sunny, sheltered site.[2][37][57]
It has average water needs during the growing season.[17][15][21] If the summer conditions become exceedingly hot and dry, the iris will go into early dormancy.[24] Therefore it prefers a dry and cold winter, with a warm and wet summer.[5][27][37]
It can be grown in a mixed flower border,[15][21][28] rock garden,[24][15][21] and in a woodland garden.[10][24][28] If the plant is to be grown in a rockery, it is recommended that the plant has new soil or fertiliser every year.[37] It can be also grown in containers and large (15 cm) pots,[8][15][21] but it needs to be re-potted frequently.[4] In the UK, the pot can survive the winter in a cold greenhouse.[8]
It suffers from a virus disease that causes leaf discolouration,[8][2][12] yellowing and streaking.[11] It seems immune to insect pests,[23][25] but can be prone to damage from slugs or snails.[12][28] Also an aphid, Aulacorthum solani can be found on the plant.[64]
Since the roots can quickly take all the nutrients out of the soil, division and re-planting is needed every other year,[8][25] or every 3–5 years when clumps become over-crowded.[4][14][17] Although, it can be left undisturbed for many years, but flowering will decrease.[39]
Like most rhizomatous irises, it should be planted with the top of rhizome just at the surface of the soil.[14][23][25] They should be spaced 20–30 cm (8–12 in) apart.[14][29][31]
Iris tectorum can be propagated by division or by seed growing.[23][25][37] It is easy to raise from seed.[8][25][38]
Plants grown from its seeds will re-produce a true form, including white plants.[37]
Division is best done in the spring,[10][37] or fall (after flowering).[12][10][28] Transplanting should be carried out soon after division.[26]
Iris tectorum has many cultivars including;
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested, it can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation (like dermatitis or an allergic reaction.[12][7][10]
Despite its toxicity, it is used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat hepatitis and wind damp pains.[66]
The Kam eat fish that have been given fresh Iris tectorum, as medicine to treat stomach aches.[67]
Iris tectorum is commonly called the 'roof iris' because it was grown in the thatch of Chinese and Japanese houses.[34][36][39] There are several theories as to why;
The most common theory, was due to a period of wartime,[23] or great famine in Japan, all land was then decreed by the emperor to be cultivated, for rice and other food crops.[17][28][35] Also, it was illegal for land to be used for growing flowers.[11][23][28] But also women wanted the iris roots for making hair dye, face powder and corn plasters.[39] The rhizomes were ground down,[7][23][55] to make a white powder used for whitening the skin,[11][12][35] similar in look to Geisha girls.[23][28] Although, EA bowles did not believe this theory.[39]
Another theory, was that it was grown in the wet clay and was used to bind the straw thatch together, to stop a roof coming apart.[11][24][17] It also acted as a decoration, creating a purple flowering roof-ridge.[7][24]
A final reason known, was that it was planted to avert the 'evil spirits' and a superstition that they prevent disease from affecting the householders.[11][7][35]
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