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Iris goniocarpa
Iris goniocarpa is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from China, India, Burma (or Myanmar) and Bhutan. It has yellow green to dark green, long leaves, slender stem and, one flower between blue, lavender-blue, lilac, blue-violet or blue-purple. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. DescriptionIris goniocarpa is very similar in form to Iris hookeriana, but differs in being more slender in growth,[2] and it also produces one flower (in May).[3] It has short rhizomes, that grow very slowly,[4] and also has very slender secondary roots underneath the rhizome.[5] It has yellow green,[4][5] green,[6] or dark green leaves.[7] That are linear,[4][5] and can grow up to between 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long, and between 0.2 and 0.3 cm wide.[5][8] They do not have a mid-vein,[5] and are similar in form to Liriope foliage.[7] It has a slender stem, that can grow up to between 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall.[5][9][10] The stem is either leafless,[5] or has 1–2 green,[8] lanceolate spathes (leaves of the flower bud), that are 2–4 cm (1–2 in) long and between 0.5 and 0.8 cm wide.[5] The stems hold 1 terminal (top of stem) flower,[3][5][9] blooming in spring,[7] or summer,[11] between April and May,[5][6][7] or May and June.[4] The flowers are 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter,[5][8][9] come in shades of blue,[6][8] from blue-violet,[4][7] lilac,[8][9] lavender-blue,[10] to blue-purple,[3][4][9] or purple.[2][12] Very rarely, there is a white form.[2][8][10] It has 2 pairs of petals, (like other irises) 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals (or tepals), known as the 'standards'.[13] The falls are obovate to elliptic in shape,[5] with a retuse (or rounded) apex.[5] It has a deeper or a darker shade, mottling or blotching.[2][3][5] In the centre, they have a white beard,[5][7] which has yellow,[5] or orange tipped hairs.[3][8][9] The erect,[8] standards are oblong shaped, with a retuse apex.[5] 1.8–2.2 cm (1–1 in) long and 0.5 cm wide.[5][8] It has a 1.5–2 cm long perianth tube, 1.5 cm long stamens, yellow anthers, 1–1.5 cm long ovary and 1.8 cm long style branches.[5] After the iris has flowered, between June and August, it produces an ellipsoid seed capsule, that is 3.2–4 cm (1–2 in) long and 1.2–1.8 cm in diameter. It has a short beak-like apex.[5] BiochemistryIn 2009, a karyotype analysis was carried out on 10 irises found in China, it found the chromosome counts.[14] As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.[13] It has a chromosome count: 2n=26.[4][14] TaxonomyIt is written as 锐果鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as rui guo yuan wei in Pidgin.[5][15][16] It has the common name of angular-fruit iris in China.[15] It is known as ko tha o pa and dkar po cig thub in Tibet.[17] The Latin specific epithet goniocarpa refers to the Greek word 'goniocarpa' with angular fruits [18] Also used by Eucalyptus goniocarpa, Hippophae goniocarpa and Psychotria goniocarpa. A specimen was found in China, in 1873 by Mr. N.M. Przewalski and then given to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh herbarium collection.[19] It was first published and described by Baker in Gardeners' Chronicle (Gard. Chron.) Vol.6 page 710 in 1876.[5][15][20] It was later published in the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society Vol.42 Issue1 on page 79 in October 1916.[9] An albino form of the iris, was found by Farrer in Western China, although there is a great deal of variation in the species.[3] It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, and then updated on 2 December 2004.[15] Iris goniocarpa is an accepted name by the RHS and it was last listed in the RHS Plant Finder in 2011.[21] Distribution and habitatIris goniocarpa is native to temperate and tropical Asia.[4][12][15] RangeIt is found within China,[4][10][19] in many Provinces of China, (including Guangxi (Gansu), Hubei, Qinghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang (also referred to as Tibet,[3][10][17])and Yunnan,[22]).[5][15] In Sichuan, it is found on 'Haizi Shan', part of the Daxue Mountains.[11] It is also found within tropical Asia, in India (including Sikkim,[2][3][8] and Nepal,[4][8][10]), Bhutan,[4] and Myanmar (also known as Burma).[5][15] It is found on the slopes of the Himalayan mountains.[4][9][10] HabitatIt grows on alpine grasslands and meadows,[4][5][11] and in open forests of mountain valleys,[8] on granite soils.[11] They can be found at an altitude of 2,700 to 5,500 m (8,900 to 18,000 ft) above sea level.[4][5][8] CultivationIt is not hardy to in the UK, but can be grown in an alpine house or bulb frame.[2] It is hardy in Europe, but needs shelter from winter wetness.[4] It can be grown in well-drained soils.[2][4] It is tolerant of different pH levels.[12] It prefers positions in sun.[2][7][12] It needs moisture during the spring but not at winter times. It also needs a dry summer period.[4] It is thought to be best planted in September and October, to get blooms for the next year.[3] PropagationIt can be propagated by division or by seed growing. Original herbarium specimens were grown from seed.[3] Hybrids and cultivarsIris goniocarpa has the following varieties; 'Felina', 'Goniocarpa Alpina', 'Goniocarpa Pratensis', 'Pardaline', 'Tenella'.[9] Note, Iris goniocarpa var. grossa Y.T.Zhao is classified as a synonym of Iris cuniculiformis [23] UsesIt is used in native Tibetan folk medicine.[17] References
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