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

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

It has around 8,^[2] basal leaves,^[9][10][8] which are slightly glaucous,^[2][11][13] yellowish green,^[2][14] or greyish green,^[7] or pale green.^[13][15][16] They are sword-shaped,^[7][16] they can grow up to between 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long and 2.5–7 cm (1–3 in) wide.^[10][17] The leaves are visibly ribbed,^[2][18][14] and change in size along the stem.^[2][8][13] They die away in the autumn,^[3][11] to re-appear in the summer.^[17]

It has slender,^[12][5] stems that can grow up to between 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall.^[16][19][20] It has 2–4,^[2][7] branches,^[15][16][19] which are 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long.^[7]

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,^[7][13] and 2–2.5 cm (1–1 in) wide.^[7]

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

The flowers are 6–10 cm (2–4 in) in diameter,^[6][13][16] they are smaller than Iris japonica,^[12] and Iris tectorum.^[3][11] The flowers come in shades of pinkish-violet,^[2][9] or pinkish purple,^[3][13][22] or pinkish lilac,^[4][13][23] pinkish-lavender,^[18][16] or pale mauve.^[6][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'.^[8] The falls are reflexed,^[4][23] obovate,^[7] 3 cm long,^[4] with a blade marked with dark purple, violet or lilac, lines, spots or mottled (streaks or blotches),^[16][19][20] it has a finely fringed,^[18] or toothed,^[4] orange,^[7][14][16] or white,^[18][8] or yellow crest (or ridge).^[5][13][20] The standards are narrowly obovate, 4–5 cm (2–2 in) long.^[7][13] They are self-fertile.^[2]

It has articulated pedicels, that are 2.5–4 cm (1–2 in) long.^[7][13]

It has a small perianth tube, 1–1.5 cm long,^[7][13] 2.5 cm long stamen, milky white anthers, 3 cm cylindric ovary.^[7]

It has reddish purple, or lilac style branches, which are 3 cm long with deeply fringed (fimbriated) edges.^[7][13]

After the iris has flowered, it produces an ovoid-globose,^[7] or ovoid-cylindrical seed capsule,^[2][9] between June and August.^[7]

It is 2.8–3.3 cm (1–1 in) cm long,^[9] with veining.^[7] Inside the capsule, are pyriform (pear shaped) black brown seeds,^[2][7] with a white aril.^[7]

Biochemistry edit

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.^[11][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]

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

Genetics edit

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.^[8] It has been counted several times, 2n=26, Simonet, 1932 and 2n=26, Chimphamba, 1973.^[10] It is normally published as 2n=26.^[11][18][20]

It has the common names of red-flower iris,^[9][22][28] and waterbird iris (in Australia).^[23][29]

It is written as 红花鸢尾 in Chinese script,^[7] and known as hong hua yuan wei in Pidgin in China.^[7][28]

The Latin specific epithet milesii refers to Mr Frank Miles, who introduced it into cultivation in about 1880.^{[3][8][13][15]} These plants were grown from seeds collected by his cousin in the Kulu district to the north of Simla.^[3][8][13]

It was first published and described by Michael Foster in Gardeners' Chronicle Volume 20 page 231 in 1883.^[7][30] John Gilbert Baker also described the iris in Curtis's Botanical Magazine Volume 112, tab.6889 in 1886.^[13][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.^[16]

Iris milesii is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia,^[21][29][30]

Range edit

It is found in temperate Asia, within the Chinese provinces,^[12][30] of Sichuan, Xizang and Yunnan.^[7][11][28]

It is also found in tropical Asia, within the States and union territories of India, in Himachal Pradesh,^[18] Uttar Pradesh,^[17] Jammu and Kashmir.^[11][17][28]

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

Habitat edit

It grows in the conifer forest margins of hillsides,^[11][17][19] in meadows,^[11] in open groves (and clearings),^[19] and wet valleys.^[7][18]

They can be found at an altitude of 1,500–2,700 m (4,900–8,900 ft) above sea level.^[11][17]

They are 'abundant' in the wild.^[18]

Iris milesii is very hardy,^[5][13][15] 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][14] to −15 °C (or lower for short periods).^[17] It is also hardy,^[11] to Europe Zone H3,^[4] although it still needs a sheltered position.^[13]

It is tolerant of normal garden soil,^[3] but prefers well drained,^[11][5] sandy, peaty soils.^[17][5] It does not like lime.^[12] It is tolerant of soils that are mildly acidic or mildly alkaline.^[22]

It prefers a sunny^[17][15][22] or semi-shade position.^[5][6][29]

It also has average water needs.^[11][22] It prefers to have moisture during the growing season, but it will not survive in waterlogged sites/^[18]

It can be grown in mixed flower border,^[11][14][6] or rock gardens.^[11]

It does suffer virus problems that Iris tectorum.^[11]

It is not rarely found in cultivation.^{[18][17][5][21]}

Propagation edit

It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing.^[11][22]

Although the Iris can produce plenty to seed,^[6] propagation via division is quicker and more reliable.^[11]

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]

• 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.

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