Iris mandshurica

Iris mandshurica is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, it is found in Russia, China, and Korea. It has green sword-like leaves, smooth green stem and yellow flowers, with yellow-purple (or maroon) veining and a yellow beard. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

Description
It is thought to be similar in form to Iris bloudowii and Iris humilis, having a short rhizome (like Iris bloudowii) and narrow, pointed spathes like Iris humilis.

It has a short, thick rhizome. It has branching, thick, fibrous and strong secondary stolons roots, which are yellow and white. On top of the rhizome, are the brown, fibrous remains of old leaves.

It has green, ensiform (sword shaped) or lanceolate basal (growing from the base) leaves. They are slightly bent or curved. They can grow up to between 10 - 15 cm long and 0.8–1 cm wide, at blooming time. They then lengthen, and by the time the iris has seed capsules, they are between 30 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. They have 2–4 longitudinal veins.

It has a smoother stem, that can reach up to between 10 - 20 cm long.

The stem has 3 green, lanceolate, (scarious) membranous, spathes or bracts (leaves of the flower bud). They are 3.5 - 5 cm long and 1-1.8 cm wide. It also has a small pedicel (flower stalk), between 6 mm to 1 cm long.

The stems hold 1–2 terminal (top of stem) flowers,  blooming early in the season, in May.

The flowers are 4 - 5 cm in diameter,  and yellow.

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'. The falls are obovate,  with maroon,  brown, or brown purple veining. They are 4 - 5 cm long and 1.5–2 cm wide. In the centre of the petal, is a yellow beard. The erect standards are long and narrow, or oblanceolate, they are up to 3.5 cm long.

It has a 2–2.5 cm long, funnel-shaped perianth tube,  2 cm long stamens,   yellow anthers and a 1–1.2 cm long green, spindle-shaped, ovary. It has long and flat, style branches that are 3 cm long and 4–5 mm wide, they have a large lobed (or toothed) end.

After the iris has flowered, between June and August, it produces a fusiform (spindle shaped) seed capsule. Which is up to 6 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, and has 6 longitudinal ribs and a long beak appendage (at the top). It dehisces (splits open) below the apex. The seeds have not been described.

Biochemistry
In 1986, a study was carried out on 3 iris species in China, the chromosomes of Iris mandshurica, Iris uniflora and Iris bloudowii were counted. The chromosome count of Iris mandshurica was 2n=14, which was different to previous counts such as 2n=34 (Simonet 1928,1932) and 2n=20 (Longley 1928).

In 2000, an isoflavonoids (chemical compound) study was carried out on 22 species of iris. Iris cathayensis and Iris mandshurica contain glycosides and isoflavonoid aglycons.

In 2007, a study was carried out on the anatomical structure of the leaves of Iris mandshurica.

In 2009, a genetic study was carried out on Iris vorobievii, Iris mandshurica and Iris humilis. It confirmed that they were independent species.

In 2011, a study was carried out on the cell growth of Iris mandshurica.

In 2013, a molecular phylogenetic (genetic evolution) study was carried out on 16 species of Iris found in Korea. It placed Iris mandshurica in a clade with other basal irises, including Iris dichotoma and Iris tectorum.

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. It has been counted several times; 2n=20 (Longley 1928). 2n=34 (Probatova 1988), 2n=14 (Zakharjeva 1990), 2n=14 (Starodubtsev & Mironova 1990) and 2n=28 (Sha et al., 1995). It is normally published as 2n=34,  or 2n=14.

Taxonomy
It is pronounced as (Iris) EYE-ris (mandshurica) man-SHEU-ree-ka.

It is written as 长白鸢尾 in Chinese script, and known as chang bai yuan wei in Pinyin in China.

It has the common name of 'manchu Iris'. or 'Manchurian iris'.

The Latin specific epithet mandshurica refers to Manchuria, coming from the Chinese region.

It was first published and described by Karl Maximovich in Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg Volume 26 on page 530 in 1880.

It was also published in ''Mélanges Biol. Bull. Phys.-Math. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg'' Vol.10 on page 724 in 1880.

Specimens used for the description were collected from China.

It was thought to be within the Pseudoregelia section in Waddick & Zhao, Iris of China, in 1992, but most sources place it within the Psammiris section.

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003, it was updated on 5 April 2013.

Iris mandshurica is an accepted name by the RHS.

Distribution and habitat
Iris mandshurica is native to temperate areas of Asia.

Range
It is found in the Russian Federation,  in the state of Primorye,   beside the Ussuri River. It is also found in China (or Manchuria   ) in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning. It is also thought to be found in Korea  and Mongolia.

Habitat
It grows on sunny dry slopes,  on steppes, in open woodlands (of oak ), in shrubberies,  and on woodland edges.

They can be found at an altitude of 400 to 800 m above sea level.

Conservation
It is considered as an 'endangered' species in Russia, and listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation.

It is protected in a reserve of 'Senkina Shapka Hill, in Oktyabrsky District, beside the Tsukanovki river.

It has been endangered due to the economic developments in the territory.

Cultivation
It is hardy to between USDA Zone 5 and Zone 11, or between Zone 3 to 10. It prefers dry winters.

It prefers to grow in well drained, or soils with loam.

It can tolerate strongly acidic or mildly acidic soils (PH levels between 5.1 and 6.5).

It can tolerate positions in full sun to partial shade.

It has average to high water needs during the growing season. It was tested (for hardiness) in the botanical gardens of Alma Ata in Moscow (TAA) and Tomsk.

It has been also grown in the botanical garden of Vladivostok.

It can grow in rockeries or rock gardens.

Propagation
It can be propagated by division or by seed growing.

Propagation methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds

In 2006, a study was carried out on the pollen viability of Iris mandshurica. It was found that time is a significant factor as well as climate.

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