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{{italic title}}{{taxobox
|name = Iris lactea
|image = Iris lactea 03.JPG
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
|unranked_classis = [[Monocots]]
|ordo = [[Asparagales]]
|familia = [[Iridaceae]]
|subfamilia = [[Iridoideae]]
|tribus = [[Irideae]]
|genus = ''[[Iris (plant)|Iris]]''
|subgenus = ''[[Iris subg. Limniris|Limniris]]''
|species = '''''Iris lactea'''''
|binomial = ''Iris lactea''
|binomial_authority = [[Peter Simon Pallas|Pall.]]
|synonyms = {{Species list|Eremiris lactea|(Pall.) Rodion.|Iris fragrans|Lindl. (Illegitimate)|Iris haematophylla|Fisch. ex Link|Iris lactea var. lactea|(Unknown) |Iris longispatha|Fisch. ex Sims|Iris moorcroftiana|Wall. ex D.Don|Iris oxypetala|C.A.Mey.(Illegitimate)|Iris sibirica var. haematophylla |(Fisch. ex Link) Turcz.|Iris sibirica subsp. triflora|(Balb.) Nyman|Iris triflora|Balb.|Joniris fragrans| Klatt|Joniris longispatha|(Fisch. ex Sims) Klatt|Joniris triflora|(Balb.) Klatt|Xiphion triflorum|(Balb.) Alef.<ref>{{cite web| title=Iris lactea Pall | url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-322026?ref=tpl1 | publisher=theplantlist.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>}}
}}
'''''Iris lactea''''' is a species in the genus ''[[Iris (plant)|Iris]]'', it is also in the subgenus of [[Iris subg. Limniris|Limniris]]. It is also in the ''Iris series Ensatae'', it is the only species in the series, ''Iris Ensate'' is actually in ''[[Iris series Laevigatae]]''. It is a [[rhizomatous]] [[perennial plant|perennial]], from central Asia, with pale blue or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in [[temperateness|temperate]] regions.

==Description==
Iris lactea has a thick creeping rhizome,<ref name=botany/><ref name=efloras/> that is covered in reddish purple fibres.<ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir>{{cite web| first1=Chesfeeda | last1=Akhter | first2=Anzar A. | last2=Khuroo | first3=Akhtar H. | last3=Malik | first4=G. H. | last4=Dar | title=A TAXONOMIC APPRAISAL OF GENUS IRIS L. (IRIDACEAE) IN KASHMIR HIMALAYA, INDIA | date=8 November 2012 | url=http://www.academia.edu/7635873/Genus_Iris_in_Kashmir_Himalaya | publisher=academia.edu | accessdate=30 October 2014}}</ref>

It grows to a height of between, 3–50 cm (1–18 in).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/><ref name=signa/>
With a 10–30 cm (4–12 in) flowering stem.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=ClaireAustin/>

It has 2-4 flowers per stem, blooming between April and June,<ref name=botany/><ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/> or May and August in the UK.<ref name=ClaireAustin/> The violet scented flowers,<ref name=america/> can last for 2–3 weeks,<ref name=efloras/> and measure about 5–7.5 cm in diameter.<ref name=botany/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=china/>

It has lanceolate (lance-shaped), green spathes, measuring 4.5-10 x 0.8-1.6 cm.<ref name=botany/><ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/>

The flowers come in a range of shades from pale blue to violet,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=ClaireAustin/> white<ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific>{{cite web| title=Beardless Irises Two | date=2 March 2013 | url=http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/BeardlessIrisesTwo | publisher=pacificbulbsociety.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> or yellow.<ref name=botany/><ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/> It has dark standards, delicate white falls, which are striated with blue, red-purple<ref name=cassidy/> or violet.<ref name=ClaireAustin/>

It has flower stalks (pedicel) measure about 4–7 cm long, with a very short perianth tube (3 mm), 2.5–3.2 cm stamens and yellow anthers.<ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/>

The leaves are linear, mostly ribbed, greyish green, rising from the base of the plant. They are between 14–70 cm long and between 3-7mm wide.<ref name=botany/><ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/>

It fruits (makes seeds) between June and September (after flowering), the seed capsule is narrow and cylindric in shape, with 6 ribs running along the side of the capsule, which ends in a beak-like point. The capsule measures 6.5–7.5 × 1–1.4 cm. The fruiting stems are unequal, ranging from 4–10 cm. Inside the capsule, are maroon-brown seeds which are pyriform.<ref name=botany/><ref name=india/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/>

===Biochemistry===
In 2008, a study was carried out on the [[anatomical]] structure of the leaf and drought resistance of 4 different species of Iris (''[[Iris songarica]]'', ''[[Iris potaninii]]'', ''[[Iris loczyi]]'' and ''Iris lactea'') from [[Qinghai]], China. It showed that all the species were strongly adaptable to drought conditions.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wang |first=Jun |last2=Gao |first2=Yi-ke |date=May 2008 |title=Study on the Relationship between Leaf Anatomical Structure and Drought Resistance of Four Species of Iris |url=http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-HLJN200805040.htm |journal=Heilongjiang Agricultural Sciences |publisher=Landscape Architecture College of Beijing Forestry University, Beijing |volume= |issue= |pages= |doi= |accessdate=22 January 2015}}</ref>

In 2009, a [[karyotype]] analysis was carried out on 10 Irises found in China, it found the chromosome counts, including ''Iris lactea'' of 2n=40.<ref name=Karyotype>{{cite journal |last=Yu |first=Xiao-Fang |last2=Zhang |first2= Hai-Qing |last3=Yuan |first3=Ming |last4=Zhou |first4=Yong-Hong |date=2009 |title=Karyotype studies on ten Iris species (Iridaceae) from Sichuan, China |url=http://www.caryologia.unifi.it/past_volumes/62_3/01-1574-(253-260)-VF.pdf |format=PDF |journal=Caryologia |publisher= |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=253–260 |doi=10.1080/00087114.2004.10589690 |accessdate= 23 March 2015}}</ref>

As most irises are [[diploid]], having two sets of [[chromosomes]]. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.<ref name=ClaireAustin>{{cite web| first=Claire | last=Austin | title=Irises A Garden Encyclopedia| pages=274–275 | url=https://worldtracker.org/media/library/Reference/Encyclopedia's/Encyclopedia%20of%20Irises.pdf | format=pdf | publisher=worldtracker.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>
It has a chromosome count: 2n=40, 44, 50<ref name=signa/><ref name=america/>

== Taxonomy==
It is commonly known in the UK as the 'White Flowered Iris'<ref name=rhs>{{cite web| title=Iris lactea |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/9293/White-flowered-iris/Details |publisher=rhs.org.uk | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> or in the US as 'Milky Iris'.<ref name=india>{{cite web| title=Milky Iris | url=http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Milky%20Iris.html | publisher= flowersofindia.net | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden{{Google books|FbT09V7RfogC|Plant Driven Design: Creating Gardens That Honor Plants, Place and Spirit| page=114}}</ref> It is known as 'majiris', in Sweden.<ref name=grin>{{cite web |title=Taxon: Iris lactea Pall. |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?401980 |publisher=ars-grin.gov ([[Germplasm Resources Information Network]]) |accessdate=31 March 2015}}</ref>

In [[Ladakhi language|Ladakhi]] of Tibet, it is known as 'Tesmamentok'.<ref name=india/> Meaning pale purple flower.<ref>Sanjeev Kumar{{Google books|Bhasin8IZloNzI8BgC|Amazing Land Ladakh: Places, People, and Culture|page=44}}</ref>

The Latin [[Botanical name#Binary name|specific epithet]] ''Lactea'' means milky color.<ref name=america/> Hence, common name of 'Milky Iris'.

In China, it is written as 白花马蔺白花马蔺 in [[Chinese characters|Chinese script]] and known as 'bai hua ma lin' in [[Pidgin]] in China.<ref name=china>{{cite web | title=Flora of China 24: 297–312. 2000, 1. IRIS Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 38. 1753. | year=2000 | format=pdf | pages=7–8 | url=http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/PDF/PDF24/iris.pdf | publisher=flora.huh.harvard.edu | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=grin/> It also known as Ma Lin or Malan flower.<ref name=salt>{{cite web | first1=Wang | last1=Wen-Yuan | first2=Yan | last2=Xiao-Feng | first3=Jiang | last3=Ying | first4=Qu | last4=Bo | first5=Xu| last5=Yu-Feng | title=Effects of Salt Stress on Water Content and Photosynthetic Characteristics in Iris lactea Var. Chinensis Seedlings | year=2012 | url=http://www.idosi.org/mejsr/mejsr12(1)12/12.pdf | format=pdf | publisher=idosi.org (Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research)| accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

It was first published and described by [[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]] in 'Reise Russ. Reich' (Reise durch Verschiedene Provinzen des Russischen Reichs - translated as 'Travel through various provinces of the Russian Empire') in 1776.<ref name=grin/><ref>{{cite web| title=Iridaceae Iris lactea Pall. | url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=438774-1 | publisher=ipni.org (International Plant Names Index) | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

The taxonomy of this species has been very confused. It was then named ''Iris ensata lactea'' ([[Carl Peter Thunberg|Thunberg]]) in 'Transactions of the [[Linnean Society of London]]' (page 328) on 1 May 1794 but later ''Iris ensata'' was re-classified as ''Iris kaempferi''. Which is now a synonym of ''[[Iris ensata]]'' (within ''[[Iris series Laevigatae]]''). Even [[William Rickatson Dykes|Dykes]] in his books 'Iris Genus'(1913) and 'Handbook of Iris'(19 ) got the name incorrect and recorded it as 'Iris ensata'. Later, writers have tried to rectify the mistake. Fritz Kohlein in his book 'Iris'(1987) called it 'Iris ensata auct. non Thunberg.'<ref name=america/>

Many new names were considered but finding out which name was first used and should have precedence has been difficult. So it has generally been left as ''Iris lactea''(Pallas).<ref name=cassidy>{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=George E.| last2=Linnegar | first2=Sidney | date=1982 | title= Growing Irises |location=Bromley | publisher=Christopher Helm | page=138 | isbn=0-88192-089-4}}</ref><ref name=america>{{cite web| title=(SPEC) Iris lactea Pallas | url=http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecLactea | publisher=wiki.irises.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

Iris lactea is an accepted name by the [[Royal Horticultural Society|RHS]].<ref name=rhs/>

It was verified by [[United States Department of Agriculture]] [[Agricultural Research Service]] on 2 October 2014.<ref name=grin/>

==Distribution and habitat==
Iris lactea comes from wide range of areas. It is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia.<ref name=grin/>

===Range===
[[File:Iris sp 003.jpg|thumb|Iris lactea in Mongolia]]
It is found in [[Afghanistan]], [[Kashmir]] (including [[Gurais|Guraiz]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]])<ref name=india/><ref name=kashmir/> [[Kazakhstan]], [[Central Asia]], [[India]] (including [[Ladakh]]),<ref name=india/> [[Pakistan]],<ref name=india/> [[Russia]] (in [[Siberia]]<ref name=efloras/> and [[Primorye]]<ref name=botany/>), [[Tibet]], [[China]], [[Mongolia]] to [[Korea]].<ref name=botany/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/><ref name=signa/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=pacific/> In China, it is found within the [[Provinces of China|Chinese provinces]] of [[Anhui]], [[Gansu]], [[Hebei]], [[Heilongjiang]], [[Henan]], [[Hubei]], [[Jiangsu]], [[Jilin]], [[Liaoning]], [[Nei Mongol]], [[Ningxia]], [[Qinghai]], [[Shaanxi]], [[Shandong]], [[Shanxi]], [[Sichuan]],<ref name=Karyotype/> [[Xinjiang]] and [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Xi-zang]](Chinese Tibet).<ref name=china/>

It is listed with ''[[Iris bloudowii]]'',''[[Iris humilis]]'', ''[[Iris ruthenica]]'', ''[[Iris sibirica]]'', ''[[Iris tenuifolia]]'' and ''[[Iris tigridia]]'' as being found in the [[Altai-Sayan region]] (where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together).<ref>{{cite web |title=Biodiversity of Altai-Sayan Ecoregion |url=http://www.bioaltai-sayan.ru/regnum/eng/species_all.php?right=box-spec-p/iris.php |publisher=bioaltai-sayan.ru |accessdate=15 August 2015}}</ref>

It is regarded as a wildflower in India and China.<ref name=india/><ref name=china/>

===Habitat===
[[File:Gardenology.org-IMG 0068 rbgm10dec.jpg|thumb|Plant label showing wide range of distribution]]
Iris lactea grows in a wide range of habitats. Including steppe meadows, turf slopes,<ref name=efloras/> heavily grazed river shore within desert steppe,<ref>{{cite web| title=Iris lactea Pall. | url=http://greif.uni-greifswald.de/floragreif/?flora_search=Image&record_id=12968 | publisher=greif.uni-greifswald.de | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> grasslands, roadsides,<ref name=china/>
grassy slopes and hillsides.<ref name=botany/><ref name=china/>

It grows at altitudes of between 600–3800m above sea level.<ref name=botany/><ref name=china/><ref name=kashmir/>

It flowers as late as late summer in the wild.<ref name=stebbings/>

==Cultivation==
Since ''Iris lactea'', is one of the most common wild irises across all of China, living it a diverse range of habitats. It is very tolerant of most garden conditions.<ref name=america/>

It is [[Hardiness (plants)|hardy]] to [[USDA]] Zones 3-9.<ref name=signa>{{cite web| first=D | last=Kramb | title=Iris lactea | date=25 September 2004 | url=http://www.signa.org/index.pl?Iris-lactea | publisher=signa.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

It is very tolerant plant, growing in a variety of soils (including those that dry out in summer),<ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=stebbings>{{cite book | last=Stebbings | first=Geoff | year=1997 | title=The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises | location=Newton Abbot | publisher=David and Charles | page=17 |isbn=0715305395}}</ref> salty areas and can be used as a soil improver.<ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=salt/> Such as being cultivated on slopes (to conserve water|), on high salty soils (to remove the salt) and desertification control.<ref name=salt/> It prefers sunny places, but can grow successfully in shady places.<ref name=efloras/> It has a strong resistance to water logging, salinity, trampling, poor, pest and disease.<ref name=salt/>

It has been planted in mass on high leaded soils to reduce the lead contamination.<ref>{{Google books| Amidohydrolases – Advances in Research and Application 2013 Edition| Z3wmmAoFVW8C| page=276}}</ref>

It is suitable for cultivation in rock gardens and group planting.<ref name=efloras>{{cite web| title=Iris lactea Pall. | url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=120&taxon_id=200028182 | publisher= efloras.org | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

===Propagation===
It can be propagated by seed and by division.<ref name=efloras/>

===Hybrids and Cultivars===
Many of the synonyms may represent distinct varieties of lactea. The following is a list of named variations botanical and horticultural;
*'Biglumis' (Robert Sweet, 1835, Siberia) -now called 'Iris lactea Pallas var. biglumis' Koidz.) <ref name=america/>
*'Chinensis' (which grows in Korea, Russia and India)<ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=america/>
*'Chrysantha' (yellow flowers)<ref name=china/><ref name=ClaireAustin/>
*'Ensata Chinensis'
*'Ensata Grandiflora' (Dykes 1913)
*'Ensata Grandiflora Alba' (White form of 'Ensata Grandiflora', found at Ohio State University Bot. Garden 1933)
*'Hyacinthiana' (Collected by [[Reginald Farrer]], 1914-1915, Tibet or W. China-Kansu)
*'Iliensis' (Poljakov, From near the [[Ili River]], Kazakhstan)
*'Illini Fountain' (1993, Budapest, Hungary)
*'Mani' (1935, Tibet)
*'Moorcroftiana' (Wallich 1828)
*'Pabularia' (1888, Kashmir)
*'Redundant' (2002,Denver Botanic Garden)<ref name=america/>
* var. lactea (white flowers,<ref name=ClaireAustin/> with purple veins and pale violet inner segments)<ref name=china/>

Iris lactea has been used in hybridization for the selection of dwarf bearded irises.<ref name=efloras/>

Known Hybrids:
*'Calsata Hybrids' (Tomas Tamberg, 1979, cross of [[Iris douglasiana]] X [[Iris ensata]])
*'Chrysata Charme' (Tamberg, 2001, cross of Sino-sibirica X I. lactea)
*'Hamadryad' (1931, Iris 'Watsoniana' X Iris ensata)<ref name=america/>

==Uses==
It is widely grown throughout China, where it is often used as an ingredient in a herbal [[contraceptive]].<ref name=ClaireAustin/> It has also been used in anti-cancer drug 'Irisquinone', which comes from a herbal remedy.<ref>Michael A. Lerner {{Google books|Choices in Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary|Q52wlSbFi-8C|page=381}}</ref> The rhizomes are also used in traditional oriental medicine,<ref name=botany>{{cite web| first=Ladislav | last=Hoskovec | title=IRIS LACTEA Pall. – White-flower Chinese Iris | url=http://botany.cz/en/iris-lactea/ | publisher=botany.cz | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=india/><ref name=salt/> including Tibet.<ref>Dr Barry Clark (translator) {{Google books|The Quintessence Tantras of Tibetan Medicine|MQyrBAAAQBAJ}}</ref> The flowers and seeds can also be used in medicines.<ref name=salt/> The dried flowers can by used an ingredient to remedy diuretic laxative. The seeds are used to treat many ailments including; fever, [[jaundice]], [[menorrhagia]], heat pain, nausea, sore throats, vomiting, urination, [[carbuncles]] and boil problems.<ref>{{cite web| title=Extract of iris lactea seed skin as well as preparation method and purpose of extract | date=12 June 2013 | url=http://www.google.com/patents/CN103142780A?d=en | publisher= | accessdate=31 October 2014}}</ref>

The leaves are used as fodder for animals, and for thatching, matting and basket work,<ref name=botany/><ref name=india/> and its leaf fibres are also used in paper making and for brushes.<ref name=ClaireAustin/> The flowers contain the [[pigment]] - [[anthocyanin]].<ref name=india/>

It has also been used in [[veterinary]] medicine. The consumption of the flowers and seeds is thought to increase a cow's milk yield.<ref>Umberto Quattrocchi {{Google books|CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names|YC_lAgAAQBAJ|page=2105}}</ref>

==Culture==
In Afghanistan, it has been banned by the [[Taliban]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Iris lactea | url=http://www.plantlust.com/plants/iris-lactea/ | publisher=plantlust.com | accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> This maybe due to it use in herbal medicines.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Other sources==
*Aldén, B., S. Ryman & M. Hjertson. 2009. Våra kulturväxters namn - ursprung och användning. Formas, Stockholm (Handbook on Swedish cultivated and utility plants, their names and origin).
*Chinese Academy of Sciences. 1959–. Flora reipublicae popularis sinicae.
*Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR).
*Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening.
*Khassanov, F. O. & N. Rakhimova. 2012. Taxonomic revision of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) for the flora of Central Asia. Stapfia 97:175.
*Kitagawa, M. 1979. Neo-lineamenta florae Manshuricae.
*Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR. [= I. ensata Thunb.].
*Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 125–127.
*Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan.
*Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.
*Walters, S. M. et al., eds. 1986–. European garden flora.

==External links==
*[https://www.nargs.org/plant/iris-lactea Images of Iris Lactea]

{{Commons category-inline|Iris lactea}}
{{Wikispecies-inline|Iris lactea}}

[[Category:Iris (plant)|lactea]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1776]]
[[Category:Flora of Central Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Flora of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Flora of India]]
[[Category:Flora of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Flora of Russia]]
[[Category:Flora of Tibet]]
[[Category:Flora of China]]
[[Category:Flora of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Flora of Korea]]

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Iris lactea - Revision history

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Gjs238: removed Category:Flora of Kashmir using HotCat