Iris songarica
Template:Italic titleTemplate:Taxobox Iris songarica 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 Central Asia, located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It has long strap-like leaves, a long stem and 2-3 flowers in shades of violet, dark blue, to lavender blue.
Contents
Description
Iris songarica flowers are similar in form to Iris spuria but differ in the colour shades.<ref name=handbook/>
It has a slender, knobbly, dark rhizome.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=plantae>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=ussrflora>Template:Cite web</ref> Under the rhizome, are filamentous (feeder) roots, that can grow to a depth of Template:Convert into the soils and extend outwards between Template:Convert.<ref name=rangelands/> On top of the rhizome, is the vestiges or remains of last seasons leaves, the maroon-brown fibres interweave, creating a spiral like effect. They also surround the base of the new leaves, as a sheath.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/>
It has rigid, strap-like,<ref name=signa>Template:Cite web</ref> linear, greyish-green leaves, which are Template:Convert long and 2-3mm wide, (at flowering time). Afterwards, they then extend up to Template:Convert long and 7-10mm wide.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/> It has a visible longitudinal vein.<ref name=ussrflora/>
It has a terete (round in cross-section), flowering stem, that can grow up to Template:Convert long.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific>Template:Cite web</ref> The stem often is longer than the leaves.<ref name=onego/>
It has 3 pointed (acuminate), green, between Template:Convert long and 1.8–2 cm wide, spathes (leaves of the flower bud).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=ussrflora/>
The stems hold normally 2-3 (normally), 3-5 (rarely) terminal (top of stem) flowers,<ref name=rangelands/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=ussrflora/> blooming in spring,<ref name=onego/> between June and July.<ref name=efloras/> The multiple flowering plants were originally called Iris songarica var. multiflora, but this has been classified as a synonym.<ref name=plantlist/>
The funnel-like flowers are Template:Convert in diameter, and come in shades of violet, dark blue,<ref name=rangelands/> to lavender blue.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=onego/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific/> 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 fiddle shaped, Template:Convert long and 1 cm wide, with an ovate or elliptic limb (at the tips).<ref name=efloras/><ref name=ussrflora/> They have violet or purple spots or blotches.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=ussrflora/> The oblanceolate, erect standards are Template:Convert long and 5mm wide.<ref name=efloras/> They also can have a darker colour veining, spots or blotches.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=ussrflora/>
It has a Template:Convert long perianth tube,<ref name=handbook/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=ussrflora/> 4.5 cm long pedicel,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=ussrflora/> 2.5 cm long ovary and 2.5 cm long stamens.<ref name=efloras/> It has linear, reddish-brown anthers,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=ussrflora/> The style branches are 3.5 cm long and 1 cm wide,<ref name=efloras/> similar in size to the standards,<ref name=ussrflora/> but a different shade of colour. It has 2-lobed stigmas, with triangular shaped teeth and purple filaments.<ref name=ussrflora/>
After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid to cylindric, sometimes oblong, seed capsule,<ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/> Template:Convert long and 1.5–2 cm wide,<ref name=rangelands/> in mid to late summer,<ref name=onego/> between May and June (in Central Asia)<ref name=rangelands/> or August and September (in China)<ref name=efloras/> It is leather-like, veined and has a long beak-like appendage on the top.<ref name=efloras/> It can carry up 20 seeds.<ref name=rangelands/>
The seeds are maroon-brown to dark brown, pyriform (pear-shaped) or elliptical, rugose (wrinkled), with a hard coating.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=seed/> They have a basal hilum.<ref name=seed/>
Biochemistry
In 2004, a study of 'Iris songarica found the presence of 2 isoflavones, Irilin A and Irisone B which were isolated from the Iris using a spectrophotometer and Column chromatography.<ref name=isoflavones/>
In May 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 October 2008, a study was carried out to isolate the flavonoids from the roots and rhizome of Iris songarica, and what effect they had on estrogenic activity. It found a new dihydro-flavonol (called songaricol), and seven known flavonoids. Some of these compounds had some antioxidant activity in certain cells and some effected yeast cells expressing human estrogen.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In 2008, in previous studies it was known that irises contain iso-flavonoids. A new study was carried out to determine the phytoestorgenic activity of Iris songarica rhizomes and roots.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In 2014, several plant species seed were studied including Iris stocksii (Baker), Iris aitchisonii (Baker) Boiss. and Iris songarica Shrenk.<ref name=seed>Template:Cite journal</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/> It was also counted as 2n=22, 44 by (Zahareva and Makeushenko 1968) and (Fedorov 1969).<ref name=rangelands/>
Taxonomy
It is written as 准噶尔鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as zhun ga er yuan wei in China.<ref name=efloras>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=grin>Template:Cite web</ref>
It has the common name of Junggar Iris<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or Songar Iris.<ref name=grin/> It is known as 'Kampir soch', 'Karakosh', 'Kamchalak', 'Kirka soch', 'Kirka-ch ash' (in Uzbekistan), Kum-bersh (in Kazakhstan) and 'Teke-sakal' (in Turkmenistan).<ref name=rangelands>International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area (editors) Template:Google books</ref> It is known as 'gharwasha' in Pushtu (India).<ref>Anthony R. Torkelson Template:Google books</ref>
The Latin specific epithet songarica refers to the region of Songaria in China. Where the iris was first found.<ref name=handbook>Template:Cite web</ref> Songaria and Kashgaria were the two provinces known as the "New Dominion," during the Dungan Revolt (1862–77). Songaria is now part of Gansu. Kashgar still exists.
It was published and described by Alexander von Schrenk in Enum Pl. Vol.1 page3 in 1841.<ref name=ipni>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=america>Template:Cite web</ref>
It was later published in Gardeners' Chronicle Series 95, page 44 on 20 January 1933.<ref name=america/>
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 a tentativily accepted name by the RHS.<ref name=rhs>Template:Cite web</ref>
Distribution and habitat
Iris songarica is a native to a wide region, of various temperate areas of Central Asia.<ref name=grin/> Ranging from Iran (Persia) to Tibet.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=plantae/><ref name=rhs/>
Range
It is found in the western Asian countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.<ref name=rangelands/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=isoflavones/> (including Gonabad).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In the middle Asian countries of (the former Soviet Union republics of), it is found in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=isoflavones/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=grin/><ref name=Prjahin/><ref name=rare/>
It is found within Turkestan, in the Kopet Dag mountain range.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Also found in Mongolia, and northern China.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rangelands/><ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=signa/><ref name=pacific/><ref name=isoflavones/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=grin/><ref name=rare/>
In 2010, a study was carried out into the infiltration rate in an arid ecosystem, in Yazd Province, a central region in Iran. Various species of plant were studied including Artemiaia sieberi and Astragalus achrochlarus, (native species that have expanded considerably in extent and density) Other plant species included Astragalus candolleanus, Iris songarica, Stachys inflate, Lactuca glaucifolia, Poa sinaica, Stipa barbata and Agropyron desertorum.<ref name=arid>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Habitat
It is found growing on clay desert steppes or desert positions,<ref name=ussrflora/><ref name=onego/><ref name=irisbotanique/> in sunny grasslands or dry meadows, on stony hillside and on grassy hillsides.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=rare/>
Cultivation
Iris songarica is not common in cultivation in the UK,<ref name=handbook/><ref name=cassidy>Template:Cite book</ref> or Europe, only be cultivated by collectors or as research plants.<ref name=irisbotanique/>
It likes sandy, well drained soils.<ref name=rare>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=cassidy/> It can also prefers alkaline soils.<ref name=irisbotanique/> It can grow on loamy soils, on sandy gritty soils and gravelly soils.<ref name=rangelands/>
It prefers positions in full sun.<ref name=rare/>
It needs to be kept dry during the winter (and autumn, if a very wet season is forecast), needing the protection of a bulb frames or similar.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=cassidy/> It only needs water during the growing season.<ref name=cassidy/>
In June 1886, a specimen of Iris songarica, collected by C. Kuntze from the deserts of Turkmenistan, was given to The William and Lynda Steere Herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden.<ref name=jstor>Template:Cite web</ref>
Aphid Dysaphis tulipae can be found on the plant.<ref>R. L. Blackman, Victor F. Eastop Template:Google books</ref>
Propagation
It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing. It needs stratification (at temperatures of 1-10oC for 1–2 years). This method of seed preparation can get a germination rate of up to 95%.<ref name=rangelands/>
Uses
In China, there are many studies about this plant, which could be described as a herb, due to it is medicinal antioxidant properties. A powder of the ground up roots are mixed with curd is used as a herbal remedy to treat diarrhoea in Afghanistan.<ref name=irisbotanique>Template:Cite web</ref> The remedy is also used in Pakistan.<ref name=isoflavones>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In Russia, the fibrous leaf sheaths (on top of the rhizome, surrounding new leaves) are used in brush production.<ref name=onego>Template:Cite web</ref> They are used to create the bristles of the brush.<ref name=Prjahin>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In Uzbekistan, sheep are known to eat the seed capsules, also some shepherds consider the plant to be poisonous. The dry leaves are often harvested for litter or dry bedding for cattle in barns. It sometimes considered an 'invader' covering large arid areas or abandoned fields which are dry and poor in nutrients. The leaves are known to contain 18% protein, 16% fibre and 12% fat and a large amount of alkaloids. The roots have been used in medicine, used to treat toothache and childhood diseases. It has also been used within the cosmetic industry.<ref name=rangelands/>
References
Other sources
- Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR).
- Khassanov, F. O. & N. Rakhimova. 2012. Taxonomic revision of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) for the flora of Central Asia. Stapfia 97:175.
- Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR.
- Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 123.
- Rechinger, K. H., ed. 1963–. Flora iranica.
- Vladimir Komarov Leont'evič, Flora of the USSR, Jerusalem, 1963- (English edition)
- 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).
