Iris milesii

Iris milesii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Iridaceae
Tribe:	Irideae
Genus:	Iris
Subgenus:	Limniris
Section:	Lophiris
Species:	I. milesii
Binomial name
Iris milesii Foster
Synonyms
None known [1]

Iris milesii (also known as the red flower iris) is a species in the genus Iris, subgenus of Limniris and in the Lophiris section (crested irises). It is a rhizomatous, beardless perennial plant, native to the Himalayas, India and China. It has pinkish-violet, or pinkish purple, or pinkish-lavender or pinkish lilac flowers, with a fringed yellow or orange crest (or ridge). It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Description

It is similar in form to Iris tectorum (another crested iris).^[2][3]

It has a short, thick, fleshy, greenish rhizomes,^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]} which are 1-1.5 cm in diameter,^[4] they are larger than other crested irises.^[12] Underneath the rhizomes, are fleshy roots.^[2][6][8] The rhizome is marked on top, with marks or scars of previous seasons leaves.^[2][6][8] The rhizome produces lateral (non-flowering) shoots, these later become new growth points for the next season.^[2][6][8] During the winter months, it goes dormant, the leaves die, leaving the rhizome bare on the soil surface.^[5][9]

It has around 8,^[2] basal leaves,^{[2][6][8][12]} which are slightly glaucous,^{[2][5][8][16]} yellowish green,^[2][11] or greyish green,^[4] or pale green.^{[6][12][13][16][17][18]} They are sword-shaped,^[4][18] they can grow up to between 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long and 2.5–7 cm (1–3 in) wide.^{[2][4][6][8][8][13]} The leaves are visibly ribbed,^{[2][6][8][10][11]} and change in size along the stem.^[2][12][16] They die away in the autumn,^[3][5] to re-appear in the summer.^[13]

It has slender,^[9][14] stems that can grow up to between 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][12][13][14][15][17][18][19][20]} It has 2-4,^[2][4] branches,^{[5][6][11][12][13][14][17][18][19]} which are 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long.^[4]

Iris milesii and Iris wattii are by far the tallest species of the crested irises group.^[21]

The stems have several spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 2.5–3.8 cm (1–1 in) long,^[4][16] and 2–2.5 cm (1–1 in) wide.^[4]

The stems (and the branches) hold between 3 and 4 flowers,^[4] in early summer,^[7][9] between April to May,^[4][5] or May to July.^{[2][6][13][14]} They are short lived, but a continuous display can carry on for many weeks,^{[2][11][12][14]} 8 to 10 weeks.^[5]

The flowers are 6–10 cm (2–4 in) in diameter,^{[4][5][6][13][14][15][16][18]} they are smaller than Iris japonica,^[9] and Iris tectorum.^[3][5] The flowers come in shades of pinkish-violet,^{[2][6][12][14]} or pinkish purple,^{[3][4][5][9][11][14][16][22]} or pinkish lilac,^[7][16][23] pinkish-lavender,^{[8][10][18][20]} or pale mauve.^[15][19]

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'.^[12] The falls are reflexed,^[7][23] obovate,^[4] 3 cm long,^[7] with a blade marked with dark purple, violet or lilac, lines, spots or mottled (streaks or botches),^{[2][3][4][6][8][11][12][14][16][17][18][19][20]} it has a finely fringed,^[10] or toothed,^[7] orange,^[4][11][18] or white,^[10][12] or yellow crest (or ridge).^{[2][6][10][14][16][20]} The standards are narrowly obovate, 4–5 cm (2–2 in) long.^[4][16] They are self-fertile.^[2]

It has articulated pedicels, that are 2.5–4 cm (1–2 in) long.^[4][16]

It has a small perianth tube, 1-1.5 cm long,^[4][16] 2.5 cm long stamen, milky white anthers, 3 cm cylindric ovary.^[4]

It has reddish purple, or lilac style branches, which are 3 cm long with deeply fringed (fimbriated) edges.^[4][16]

After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid-globose,^[4] or ovoid-cylindrical seed capsule,^[2][6] between June and August.^[4]

It is 2.8–3.3 cm (1–1 in) cm long,^[6] with veining.^[4] Inside the capsule, are pyriform (pear shaped) black brown seeds,^[2][4] with a white aril.^[4]

Biochemistry

Iris milesii from Jardin des Plantes, Botanical garden in Paris, France

In May 1984, a study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris milesii, to ascertain their chemical constituency. Several isoflavones (chemical compounds) were found. ^[5][24]

In December 1884, a further study was carried out on the rhizomes of Iris milesii and Iris kemaonensis(under old spelling 'kumaonensis'). It found several isoflavones in both rhizomes. ^[25]

Tetra hydroxy-3' methoxyisoflavone (C16H12O7) can be found naturally within the iris,^[26] rhizomes.^[27]

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.^[12] It has been counted several times, 2n=26, Simonet, 1932 and 2n=26, Chimphamba, 1973.^[8] It is normally published as 2n=26.^{[4][5][10][20]}

Taxonomy

It has the common names of red-flower iris,^[6][22][28] and waterbird iris (in Australia).^[23][29]

It is written as 红花鸢尾 in Chinese script,^[4] and known as hong hua yuan wei in Pidgin in China.^[4][28]

The Latin specific epithet milesii refers to Mr Frank Miles, who introduced it into cultivation in about 1880.^{[3][12][16][17]} These plants were grown from seeds collected by his cousin in the Kulu district to the north of Simla.^[3][12][16]

It was first published and described by Michael Foster in Gardeners' Chronicle Volume 20 page 231 in 1883.^[4][16][30] John Gilbert Baker also described the iris in Curtis's Botanical Magazine Volume112, tab.6889 in 1886.^[16][28]

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 9 January 2003 and then updated on 1 December 2004.^[28]

Iris milesii is an accepted name by the RHS.^[18]

Distribution and habitat

Iris milesii

Iris milesii is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia,^[28] within the Himalayas.^{[5][7][9][10][11][12][13][14][16][17][19][21][29][30]}

Range

It is found in temperate Asia, within the Chinese provinces,^[9][30] of Sichuan, Xizang and Yunnan.^[4][5][28]

It is also found in tropical Asia, within the States and union territories of India, in Himachal Pradesh,^[10] Uttar Pradesh,^[13] Jammu and Kashmir.^[5][13][28]

It is also thought to be found in Tibet.^[30]

Habitat

It grows in the conifer forest margins of hillsides,^[5][13][19] in meadows,^[5] in open groves (and clearings),^[19] and wet valleys.^[4][10]

They can be found at an altitude of 1,500–2,700 m (4,900–8,900 ft) above sea level.^{[5][13][16][19]}

Conservation

They are 'abundant' in the wild.^[10]

Cultivation

Flower buds of Iris milesii, from Himachal Pradesh, India.

Iris milesii is very hardy,^[14][16][17] to between USDA Zone 3 and Zone 8,^[22] or Zone 10.^[29] It is not hardy in the North Carolina climate, because it does not survive the winter.^[21] It is hardy in UK,^[3][11] to −15 °C (or lower for short periods).^[13] It is also hardy,^[5] to Europe Zone H3,^[7] although it still needs a sheltered position.^[16]

It is tolerant of normal garden soil,^[3] but prefers well drained,^[5][14] sandy, peaty soils.^[13][14] It does not like lime.^[9] It is tolerant of soils that are mildly acidic or mildly alkaline.^[22]

It prefers a sunny^[13][17][22] or semi-shade position.^[14][15][29]

It also has average water needs.^[5][22] It prefers to have moisture during the growing season, but it will not survive in waterlogged sites/^[10]

It can be grown in mixed flower border,^[5][11][15] or rock gardens.^[5]

It does suffer virus problems that Iris tectorum.^[5]

It is not rarely found in cultivation.^{[10][13][14][21]}

Propagation

It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing.^[5][22]

Although the Iris can produce plenty to seed,^[15] propagation via division is quicker and more reliable.^[5]

Toxicity

Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.^[22]

References

Other sources

• Chowdhery, H. J. & B. M. Wadhwa. 1984. Flora of Himachal Pradesh.
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 75.
• Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan.
• Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.

External links

• Media related to Iris milesii at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Iris milesii at Wikispecies