Difference between revisions of "Iris loczyi"

Latest revision as of 01:01, 17 May 2026

Template:Italic titleTemplate:Taxobox Iris loczyi is a beardless iris in the genus Iris, in the subgenus Limniris and in the Tenuifoliae series of the species. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from a wide area of Asia, including Afghanistan, Iran,(the mountainous parts of Pakistan), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Tibet and China. It has long thin grey green leaves, long stems and 1 flower in pale violet, blue violet, lavender or light blue.

Description

It was once thought to be a form of Iris tenuifolia.<ref name=cassidy/> Especially in China.<ref name=efloras/>

It has a slender, fibrous, knobbly or gnarled, brown-black rhizome.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora>Template:Cite web</ref> It forms hard thick, tussocks or clumps of plants.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=Archibald>Template:Cite web</ref> On top of the rhizome are maroon-brown, fibrous (or straw-like), remnants (of last seasons leaves), as sheaths (of the new leaves).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=Archibald/>

It has long and thin, linear, green-grey leaves, measuring Template:Convert long and 2-5mm wide.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=onego/><ref name=Archibald/> The leaves are sometimes evergreen.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

It has flower stems, that are Template:Convert long.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=american/><ref name=rare/><ref name=pacific>Template:Cite web</ref> They are sometimes only just above the ground level.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=Archibald/><ref name=rare/>

It has 3 green, lanceolate, between Template:Convert long and 1.5 cm wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=onego/>

The stems hold normally 1, (rarely 2) terminal (top of stem) flowers,<ref name=cassidy/> blooming in late spring,<ref name=alpine/> between April and June.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/>

The fragrant,<ref name=atlas/> flowers are Template:Convert in diameter, and come in shades of pale violet,<ref name=efloras/> blue violet,<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=onego/><ref name=Archibald/><ref name=american/><ref name=rare/> lavender,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=pacific/> and light blue.<ref name=atlas/>

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 oblanceolate (top wider than the bottom) or slightly obovate, Template:Convert long and 1–2 cm wide. They are veined with a darker shade and have a white or cream (occasionally yellow), signal area (central area).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=Archibald/><ref name=american/><ref name=rare/><ref name=pacific/> The single coloured standards are also oblanceolate, erect, Template:Convert long and 7-8mm wide.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=ussrflora/>

It has a long, slender perianth tube of Template:Convert long.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=Archibald/>

It has very short pedicels.<ref name=atlas/><ref name=ussrflora/> It has 2.5 cm long stamens and 1.2 cm ovary.<ref name=efloras/> It has short style branches, 4 cm long and 8m wide, in similar shades as the standards.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=ussrflora/>

After the iris has flowered, it produces a reddish-brown ovoid to cylindric seed capsule, Template:Convert long and 2 cm wide between June and September. The capsule has 6 veins, and a short beak-like appendage on the top.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/>

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>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In 2013, a chemical analysis study was carried on Iris loczyi and Iris unguicularis. Both plants are known as medicinally important.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Q. Ashton Acton Template:Google books</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>Template:Cite web</ref> It has a chromosome count: 2n=20.<ref name=irisbotanique>Template:Cite web</ref>

Taxonomy

It is written as 天山鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as tian shan yuan wei in China.<ref name=efloras>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref>

It has the common name of Tianshan Iris (in China),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or Tian Shan Mountain iris<ref name=grin/> or Iris Lochan (or Iris Lochi) (in Russia).<ref name=onego>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=exhibition>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Latin specific epithet loczyi is unknown but several other species have the same epithet including, Viviparus loczyi Halaváts (a type of snail) and Cymbella loczyi (a type of algae).

It was published and described by August Kanitz in Exped. Szechen (Növényt. Gyujtesek Eredm. Grof Szechenyi Bela Keletazsiai Utjabol) Vol.58. tab. 6. fig. 2. (with illustration) in 1891.<ref name=american>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It was originally found in Ala Archa Valley of Uzbekistan.<ref name=alpine>Template:Cite web</ref>

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

As of January 2015, it is listed as unchecked by the RHS.<ref name=rhs>Template:Cite web</ref>

Distribution and habitat

Iris loczyi is native to a wide region, of various temperate areas of Asia.<ref name=grin/>

Range

It is found in the western Asia countries of Afghanistan and Iran.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=grin/> Including; the Caucasus regions of Pamir Mountains, Tien Shan (within Kometydavan Ravine and Se-chai River<ref name=ussrflora/>) and Baluchistan (the mountainous parts of Pakistan and Iran).<ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=rhs/>

In the middle Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia,<ref name=grin/> and Tibet.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=alpine/><ref name=onego/><ref name=rare/><ref name=pacific/>

It is listed with Iris bloudowii, Iris psammocola, 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>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is found in the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai Sichuan, Xinjiang and Xizang.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=onego/><ref name=rare/><ref name=grin/>

Habitat

It is found growing on high mountain grasslands,<ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=rare/> (or steppes)<ref name=onego/> and sunny hillsides.<ref name=efloras/> It is widespread on the mountains of Central Asia.<ref name=Archibald/> At altitudes of between Template:Convert above sea level.<ref name=alpine/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=rare/>

It is also found in clumps by the roadside in Barskon Pass of Kyrgyzia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Conservation

It is listed in the IUCN 'Red Book' of the Republic of Tuva as a species at vulnerable status.<ref name=exhibition/>

It was mentioned in (under the name Iris tianschanica) in Czerepano's 'Vascular Plants of Russia and Adjacent States (the Former USSR)' in 1995.<ref>S. K. Czerepano Template:Google books</ref>

It is an endangered species in Uglovsky District of Russia. Only 20 individuals were counted. Although the plants were not eaten by cattle, destruction of the habitat is the major factor in limiting its range.<ref name=atlas>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cultivation

Iris loczyi is not common in cultivation in the UK,<ref name=cassidy>Template:Cite book</ref> Europe,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=rare>Template:Cite web</ref> or Russia.<ref name=onego/> It is normally only grown by botanical gardens or collectors.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

It is hardy in Ashgabat and Tashkent in Russia.<ref name=onego/> It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

Like others in the Series Tenuifoliae, it prefers sandy well drained soils.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=atlas/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=rare/>

It prefers positions in full sun.<ref name=rare/> It prefers to be kept dry during the winter, needing the protection of bulb frames (in the UK).<ref name=cassidy/>

Aphid Dysaphis tulipae can be found on the plant.<ref>R. L. Blackman, Victor F. Eastop Template:Google books</ref>

Propagation

It can be propagated by division or by seed growing. But the seeds need to be scarified and the seedlings need a constant temperature of 25C°.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

Uses

In China, it is forbidden to export plants or seeds. The reason is not known, but may be due to the medicinal usage of the plants.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

References

Template:Reflist

External links

• Russian webpage with many photos of Iris loczyi

Other sources

• Khassanov, F. O. & N. Rakhimova. 2012. Taxonomic revision of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) for the flora of Central Asia. Stapfia 97:175.
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 122–123.
• Rechinger, K. H., ed. 1963–. Flora iranica.
• Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.
• Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994–. Flora of China (English edition).

External links

• Template:Commons category-inline
• Template:Wikispecies-inline