SV: Iris tenuifolia

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Med venlig hilsen / Kind regards

Lars Høpfner

Langengen 38, Svogerslev

4000  Roskilde

Denmark

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.

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.