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Species of flowering plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
It has a thick,[2][3][4] (the size of a man's thumb),[5] creeping,[5][6] buff (coloured),[7] or greenish rhizome.[8][9] They are similar in form to a bearded iris rhizome.[10][11] It has slender, short roots (under the rhizomes),[7][12] and fibres on the top.[12] The creeping habit, creates spreading clumps of plants.[13][14][15] It does not produce stolons.[5]
It has basal fans,[16][17][18] that are yellowish green,[12] or pale green,[19][20][21] and sword-shaped (ensiform),[9][22][23] or lance-shaped.[7][3][24] They are also, glossy,[5][23][14] and ribbed,[7][18][25] and can grow up to between 15–60 cm (6–24 in) long and 1.5–5 cm (1–2 in) wide.[18][26][27] The leaves are floppy,[22][21] and described as semi-evergreen.[24][26][22]
It has terete (cylindrical),[6] stems that can grow up to between 20–45 cm (8–18 in) tall.[28][29][30] It has 1–2 branches,[8][21][26] and 1–2 (reduced) stem leaves.[7][5][31]
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.[12][5]
It has a 1 cm long pedicel (flower stalk),[12] 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,[31][26][32] in late spring,[14][17][28] or early summer,[2][17][20] between April and May,[26][33][34] or June.[18][21][33] It flowers between September and October in Australia.[16] The flower display can last for 2 weeks.[22] The flowers are 7.6–10 cm (3–4 in) in diameter,[28][35][36] The flattened,[25][27][32] horizontal,[37] flowers are larger than Iris japonica flowers.[38]
The flowers come in shades of lavender blue,[32][30][37] or bluish violet,[19][30][38] or blue-lilac,[25][39][36] or purple-blue,[24][31][25] or sky blue.[29][18][35] There is also a white form.[30][37][38]
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][9] The falls are obovate (egg-like),[10][6] or ovate,[12] with darker (or brownish purple/violet).[9] mottling,[2][18][25] veining,[8][23][39] streaks,[6][9] or spots,[2][10][4][24] around a toothed or lacinated (fringed),[7][5] white crest.[39][36][38] 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][8][31] The elliptic standards spread horizontally (not erect),[8][21][25] and are 4.5–5 cm (2–2 in) long and 3 cm wide.[12][10] Both petals (falls and standards) can have wavy margins.[4][21][33]
The flowers are self-fertile,[7] but are pollinated by insects.[23]
It has a 2.5–3 cm long slender, perianth tube,[5][6][8] a 2.5 cm long stamen, bright yellow anthers and a cylindric, 1.8–2 cm long ovary.[12] It has a pale bluish-violet style branch, that is 3.5 cm long.[12] It has toothed lobes (at the tips), that are irregular.[6][8]
After the iris has flowered, between June and August,[12][19] it produces an ellipsoid or obovoid (oblong-ovoid),[12][7] light green,[14] seed capsule.[9][31] It is 4.5–6 cm (2–2 in) long and 2–2.5 cm wide,[12][7][31] and has 6 ribs.[7] When it ripens, (and goes brown,[23]) it splits in three, along 2 or more seams, starting from the top.[7][31] Inside, are multiple,[23][31] black-brown seeds,[12][23] which are pyriform (pear shaped) and have a small cream (coloured) aril (appendage).[12][7]
In 1994, a study was carried out to isolate various chemical compounds from the seeds of Iris tectorum, it found an ester 'iristectorene B'.[40]
In 1999, a study was carried out Iris tectorum rhizomes, it found a triterpenoid chemical compound.[41]
In 2007, a study was carried out on cytotoxic properties of Iris tectorum, used to treat cancer.[42]
In May 2007, a study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris tectorum, to find various chemical compounds.[43]
In 2009, a karyotype analysis was carried out on 10 Irises found in China, and found that Iris tectorums was 2n=28.[44]
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.[45]
In 2012, a study was carried out on the leaves of Iris tectorum for anti cancer properties.[46]
In 2013, a study was carried on Iris tectorum to isolate various chemical compounds.[47]
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.[48]
In January 2014, a study was carried out on the neuro-protective activities of Iris tectorum.[49]
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).[50]
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.[12][7][39]
It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (tectorum) tek-TOR-um.[28][30]
It is written as 鸢尾 in Chinese script,[12] and known as yuan wei in Pidgin in China.[17][51][52]
It has several common names, including; roof iris,[52][53][54] Japanese roof iris,[30][37][53] wall iris (in America),[54][55][56] wall flag,[3] white root iris,[20][30] Ichihatu (In Japan – meaning first as the first iris to flower),[57][58] shenan,[51][52] and roof garden iris.[32]
It is known as Dach-Schwertlilie in German and takiris in Swedish.[51][52]
The Latin specific epithet tectorum refers to Latin word for roof or covering.[21][59]
Iris tectorum is native to China, but was first discovered in the 1860s, growing in Japan on the roofs, hence the common name.[22]
It was first published and described by Karl Maximovich in the 'Bulletin of Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg' Volume15 page380 in 1871.[5][51][60]
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.[8]
It was introduced to England and European cultivation in 1874,[4][6] by Philipp Franz von Siebold, who sent plants to St Petersburg.[7] It was also introduced to US cultivation by Mr William Bull in 1874.[5][32]
It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 2 April 1996 and updated on 1 December 2004.[51]
It is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia.[11][51][52]
It is found in (central and south western),[7][2][61] China,[36][52][53] within the Chinese provinces, of Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan and Zhejiang.[12][51]
Also found in Korea,[39][51][61] and within (the tropical region) of Myanmar (Burma).[51][56][61]
It is often cited as native to Japan,[19][32][54] but it may just be naturalized.[2][10][26]
It has naturalized in Bhutan and India.[15] It has also naturalized in regions of America, including New Hampshire.[55]
It grows on forest margins, on sunny banks, in meadows, in damp places and beside water.[23][15][19] It can also be found growing along roadsides and on steep hillsides, in China.[4][26]
They can be found at an altitude of 500–3,500 m (1,600–11,500 ft) above sea level.[12][11][15]
In New Hampshire, as a wild flower, it is found on the edges of lawns and fields, beside roadsides and in compost heaps.[55]
The cultivation of Iris tectorum is very similar to that of Iris japonica and Iris milesii.[32]
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 4 and Zone 9.[28][30][54] It is hardy to European Zone H2,[8] meaning it can tolerate temperatures as low as −10,[11] but needs protection from hard frosts.[35] Older plants can survive some frosts but young plants need protection in the spring.[36] Both the blue and white forms of the iris, are perfectly hardy.[5][32] 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.[34] 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.[11][62]
It prefers to grow in humus, rich,[27][35][56] moist soil,[28][54][56] with good drainage.[27][36][56]
During spring or autumn, a top dressing of well rotted compost (or well rotted manure),[10] should be added,[7][36] a feed of fertilizer can also be added.[10][16][27] A mulch can also be applied (at the same time) to retain the moisture.[35][56]
It can tolerate neutral or acidic soils (pH levels between 6.1 – 7.8).[20][27][28]
It can tolerate positions between full sun and partial shade,[54][56][61] but prefers light shade,[19][38][54] In full sun, the leaves can bleach.[10] (similar to woodland conditions).[16] Although, a few sources say it prefers a sunny, sheltered site.[2][36][56]
It has average water needs during the growing season.[16][14][20] If the summer conditions become exceedingly hot and dry, the iris will go into early dormancy.[23] Therefore it prefers a dry and cold winter, with a warm and wet summer.[5][26][36]
It can be grown in a mixed flower border,[14][20][27] rock garden,[23][14][20] and in a woodland garden.[9][23][27] If the plant is to be grown in a rockery, it is recommended that the plant has new soil or fertiliser every year.[36] It can be also grown in containers and large (15 cm) pots,[7][14][20] but it needs to be re-potted frequently.[4] In the UK, the pot can survive the winter in a cold greenhouse.[7]
It suffers from a virus disease that causes leaf discolouration,[7][2][11] yellowing and streaking.[10] It seems immune to insect pests,[22][24] but can be prone to damage from slugs or snails.[11][27] Also an aphid, Aulacorthum solani can be found on the plant.[63]
Since the roots can quickly take all the nutrients out of the soil, division and re-planting is needed every other year,[7][24] or every 3–5 years when clumps become over-crowded.[4][13][16] Although, it can be left undisturbed for many years, but flowering will decrease.[38]
Like most rhizomatous irises, it should be planted with the top of rhizome just at the surface of the soil.[13][22][24] They should be spaced 20–30 cm (8–12 in) apart.[13][28][30]
Iris tectorum can be propagated by division or by seed growing.[22][24][36] It is easy to raise from seed.[7][24][37]
Plants grown from its seeds will re-produce a true form, including white plants.[36]
Division is best done in the spring,[9][36] or fall (after flowering).[11][9][27] Transplanting should be carried out soon after division.[25]
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.[11][9]
Despite its toxicity, it is used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat hepatitis and wind damp pains.[65]
The Kam eat fish that have been given fresh Iris tectorum, as medicine to treat stomach aches.[66]
Iris tectorum is commonly called the 'roof iris' because it was grown in the thatch of Chinese and Japanese houses.[33][35][38] There are several theories as to why;
The most common theory, was due to a period of wartime,[22] or great famine in Japan, all land was then decreed by the emperor to be cultivated, for rice and other food crops.[16][27][34] Also, it was illegal for land to be used for growing flowers.[10][22][27] But also women wanted the iris roots for making hair dye, face powder and corn plasters.[38] The rhizomes were ground down,[22][54] to make a white powder used for whitening the skin,[10][11][34] similar in look to Geisha girls.[22][27] Although, EA bowles did not believe this theory.[38]
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.[10][23][16] It also acted as a decoration, creating a purple flowering roof-ridge.[23]
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.[10][34]
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