Iris halophila var. sogdiana
Template:Taxobox Iris halophila var. sogdiana is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in series Spuriae. It is a variety of Iris halophila. It was once a species in its own right as Iris sogdiana, before being re-classified as a synonym of Iris halophila, but it has been re-classed again as a variant of Iris halophila. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with blue-violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
Contents
Description
It is similar in form to Iris halophila but with blue-violet flowers.<ref name=pan>Template:Cite web</ref>
It has a stout, thick rhizome.<ref name=USSR>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=ksiridion>Template:Cite web</ref> Which has a creeping habit.<ref name=USSR/>
It has green,<ref name=british>British Iris Society (1997) Template:Google books</ref> sword-like, linear, smooth leaves, that are 4-12mm wide.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/> They taper to a point,
somewhat compressed, smooth; radical leaves as long as the stems, linear, to 10 cm broad, acuminate; cauline leaves 4, progressively decreasing in size;<ref name=USSR/> Sword-shaped leaves are usually widely-linear, thickish 4–12 mm wide at the top and tapering pointed. Case green, slightly gritty, keeled, acute.<ref name=ksiridion/>
It has Template:Convert tall stems.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/><ref name=alpine>Template:Cite web</ref>
It has lanceolate, acuminate, carinate spathes (leaves of the flower bud).<ref name=USSR/>
The stems hold between 3 and 4, terminal (top of stem) flowers, blooming between June and July.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=alpine/>
The un-fragranced flowers,<ref name=alpine/> come in shades of violet-blue.<ref name=pan/><ref name=ksiridion/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=flowerlib>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=efloras>Template:Cite web</ref>
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'.<ref name="ClaireAustin"/> The falls are 4.5–5 cm long, obovate, round tipped, with dark purple veins and a yellow claw (section of petal closest to stem).<ref name=pan/><ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/><ref name=efloras/> The shorted standards are erect, obovate or oblong, are brown at the base.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/>
It has an 8mm long perianth tube, which is also the length of the ovary.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/>
It has linear, oblong style branches,<ref name=USSR/> which are light purple.<ref name=ksiridion/>
After the iris has flowered, it produces a 4.5 cm long, 6-angled seed capsule with a long beak-like appendage.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/> It has flattened seeds, with rough edges.<ref name=USSR/>
Biochemistry
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.<ref name=ClaireAustin>Template:Cite web</ref> It has a chromosome count: 2n=44.<ref name=efloras/>
In 1979, a study was carried out the seeds of Iris sogdiana, to find various chemical compounds including, alkali-soluble polysaccharides. Glucomannan, consisting of glucose and mannose was found.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In 2011, a study was carried out on Iris halophila var. sogdiana and Iris halophila, to find the fat soluble constituents and volatility components. Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. (E,E) 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, 9-Octadecenoic acid(Z)-,methyl ester were found in both irises.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Taxonomy
It is written as 蓝花喜盐鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as lan hua xi yan yuan wei in Pinyin Chinese.<ref name=efloras/>
It is also known as Iris 'Halophila Sogdiana'.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
It was commonly known as Iris sogdiana (before re-classification) or Ksiridion sogdiana (in Russia).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Latin specific epithet sogdiana refers to the ancient civilization of Sogdia in modern Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
It was first published as Iris sogdiana by Alexander Bunge in Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg Divers Savans Vol.7 page507 in 1847.<ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref> Bunge then published it, (as Iris sogdiana) in Beitr. Fl. Russl. page331 in 1852.<ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref>
Later, B. Fedtsch in published the iris, as Iris sogdiana in 'Kom. Fl. URSS Vol.4 page526 in 1935.<ref name=pan/>
It was then published and described as Iris halophila var. sogdiana by Alexander Bunge and Valery Ivanovitsch Grubov in 'Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast.' Vol.6 page30 in 1970.<ref name="plantlist"/><ref name=american/><ref name=asian>Template:Cite web</ref> They also published it within 'Новости Сист Высш Раст 1969' page30 in 1970.<ref name=pan/>
It was mentioned as Iris sogdiana in 'Vascular Plants of Russia and Adjacent States (the Former USSR)'.<ref>Sergeĭ Kirillovich Cherepanov (1981)Template:Google books</ref>
Distribution and habitat
It is native temperate regions of central Asia.<ref name=british/><ref name=flowerlib/>
Range
It is found in the Asian countries of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.<ref name=british/><ref name=flowerlib/><ref name=efloras/> Also in the former Russian republics of Turkmenistan.<ref name=USSR/> It is also found in China, in the Chinese provinces of Gansu and Xinjiang.<ref name=pan/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=asian/>
In mountainous Kyrgyzstan, it is found in a region from Lake Issyk-Kul to the valley of the Chu.<ref name=ksiridion/>
In 2011, a study recorded the vascular plants in the forests around Angren, Uzbekistan, 12 were found to be endemic to Central Asia. These are; Arum korolkovii, Carex turkestanica, Cousinia olgae, Eremurus regelii, Euphorbia jaxartica, Galium pamiroalaicum, Gymnospermium alberti, Iris sogdiana, Prunus sogdiana, Rosa kokanica, Thalictrum sultanabadense, and Veronica bucharica.<ref name= Ahangaren>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Habitat
It is grown on the damp meadow steppes, on hillside wastelands, on gravelly slopes,<ref name=pan/> on the banks of water reservoirs and on the banks of rivers.<ref name=USSR/><ref name=ksiridion/>
Cultivation
It is the most hardy plant of all the Spuria irises.<ref name=british/>
It prefers positions in partial shade.<ref name=alpine/>
References
Other sources
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third. [as I. spuria var. halophila (Pall.) Dykes].
- Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 118.
- Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan.
- Rechinger, K. H., ed. 1963–. Flora iranica. [as I. spuria subsp. halophila (Pall.) B. Mathew & Wendelbo].
