This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Iris tenuifolia

Since Iris tenuifolia was mentioned this week I asked Jim Waddick to dig out some slides and make a few comments. 

The SeriesTenuifoliae of Iris are mostly found in China with at least eight species native. The BIS recognizes 
eleven species, but some of these are of doubtful relationship most notably I. anguifuga. Most are native to dry 
steppe and grasslands. Few of them are grown in cultivation. Although some have "garden attraction", most are 
only of scientific interest.

Iris tenuifolia is the name sake of the series and found in many mostly northern Chinese provinces. Other 
species range through Mongolia, Siberia and further east to Iran. I. tenuifolia dies to the ground in winter and 
existing foliage is sheared off by wind, snow and other weather conditions. Growth begins in April and  May as 
old leaves resume growth. Flowers appear by May in N.E. China usually on sites with bare soil on treeless plains. 
After bloom, the leaves continue growth to up to two feet long in a wind blown snarl. Fruit is a nearly rounded 
capsule under an inch in size by late summer.

Cultivation is very difficult. Seed is rarely obtained in western horticulture and seedlings are slow. Exact siting 
is also problematical. They need a northern continental climate in a dry prairie maybe suited to Nebraska or North 
or South Dakota. ? Watering might be tricky, too. Finally it has little in ornamental value, but is a horticultural and 
taxonomic curiosity.

Other species possibly more garden worthy might include I. ventricosa, I. bungei, I. songarica (this is the most 
wide spread and perhaps culturally more tolerant species) and especially the smaller species from E. China:  
I. kobayashi and I. cathayensis.


The first 4 pix are by James W. Waddick. The last one by Zhao Yu Tang.


The first 4 are taken in May, the last around August. All are taken in the vicinity of Bai Cheng, Jilin Province, China

013 A newly open bloom at ground level. On the right side is another bud just emerging from the ground. Note the 
leaves are continuously growing and the dead frayed ends are the last of the previous year's growth burned and frozen 
off during winter.


014 A plant dug out of the ground. The main meristem is 4 to 6 inches underground. The side buds all emerge from a 
single crown well protected from harsh winter cold. Roots are tough and fibrous.


011 This is a habitat shot of a plant growing on bare ground in a grove or planted Populus hybrids. Look carefully for the 
pale lilac spot and thin green leaves directly in front of the tree trunk. Soil is a wind blown loess with sand and fine gravel 
included.


015 Close up of flower to show the narrow floral parts, but some similarity to spuria iris flowers.  Also note that the bracts 
subtending the flower are not enlarged or inflated like other tenuifoliate species.


006 This is a plant at the end of summer in full leaf. Leaves continue to grow and form a tangle.  Round seed pods are 
formed at ground level at this time.


Jim Murrain
8871 NW Brostrom Rd
Kansas City, Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Zone 6b/5a




Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index