Detailed Key Points for Caring for Japanese Iris (Iris ensata)
Japanese iris (Iris ensata, also known as jade cicada flower) Scientific name: iris ensata
Family and genus: Iridaceae
Morphological characteristics: Perennial herbaceous emergent aquatic plant with rhizomes. The rhizome is short and thick, with many fine fibrous roots. Leaves are basal, linear, upright, with a prominent midrib and relatively flat lateral veins. The flower stem is usually slightly taller than the leaf clump, bearing two flowers; the flowers are large, with a diameter of up to more than 15 cm. The standard petal is shorter than the falls, and colors include yellow, bright red, blue, and purple, with spots and stripes in blue, gray, black, and other colors.
Ecological habits: Sun-loving; moisture-loving; cold-tolerant.
Flowering period: May to July.
Flower language: Tidings of love.
Landscape uses: Suitable for planting at shaded and moist forest edges, beside streams, along riverbanks, and beside ponds, as well as in flower beds, flower borders, and as cut flowers.
Species identification: Related species---Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) i. pseudacorus has wide sword-shaped basal leaves that are grayish green, with a prominent midrib and transverse netted veins (when not in bloom, this can be used as a distinguishing point from Acorus calamus). The flower stem is usually lower than the leaf clump, the flower diameter is 10 cm, and the flowers are yellow.
Iris tectorum Iris tectorum gallery: How to grow Iris tectorum / How to propagate Iris tectorum
Iris tectorum profileIris tectorum Iris tectorum
Aliases: Wuyuan, Wuyuan, Bianzhu, Blue Butterfly, Yilima, Shanba Cao, Tu Zhimu, Lengshui Dan, Hama Tiaoque, Tie Biandan, Hama Qi, Qingwa Qi, Qima Qi, Soushan Gou, Douchi Ye, Bianzhu Ye, Yanzihua, Zhong Soushan Hu, Ya Pigu
Classification: Perennial herbaceous flowering plant
Family and genus: Plantae, Angiosperms, Monocotyledons, Asparagales, Iridaceae, Iris
Full bloom period: Spring
Iris tectorum is a perennial herb with alternate leaves, mostly sword-shaped, with blue-purple flowers and long elliptical capsules. Iris tectorum is also known as Wuyuan, Wuyuan, Bianzhu, Blue Butterfly, Yilima, Shanba Cao, Tu Zhimu, Lengshui Dan, and Hama Tiaoque. Iris tectorum grows in moist places under forests, at the foot of mountains, and beside streams, and its rhizome can be collected throughout the year. Its nature is bitter, pungent, and neutral. It is slightly toxic; functions and indications: activate blood and remove blood stasis, dispel wind and promote diuresis, detoxify, and reduce food stagnation. Used for traumatic injuries, rheumatic pain, sore throat, food stagnation and abdominal distension, and malaria; externally for boils, sores, and swelling, and traumatic bleeding. Iris tectorum has strong adaptability to the environment and is relatively easy to cultivate and manage. It can be planted in the open ground in clumps...
Iris tectorum cultivation methods and precautions Introduction to Iris tectorum
Iris tectorum is a perennial herb with alternate leaves, mostly sword-shaped, with blue-purple flowers and long elliptical capsules. Iris tectorum is also known as Wuyuan, Wuyuan, Bianzhu, Blue Butterfly, Yilima, Shanba Cao, Tu Zhimu, Lengshui Dan, and Hama Tiaoque.
Iris tectorum grows in moist places under forests, at the foot of mountains, and beside streams, and its rhizome can be collected throughout the year. Its nature is bitter, pungent, and neutral. It is slightly toxic; functions and indications: activate blood and remove blood stasis, dispel wind and promote diuresis, detoxify, and reduce food stagnation. Used for traumatic injuries, rheumatic pain, sore throat, food stagnation and abdominal distension, and malaria; externally for boils, sores, and swelling, and traumatic bleeding.
Iris tectorum has strong adaptability to the environment and is relatively easy to cultivate and manage. It can be planted in the open ground in clumps or grown in pots for appreciation.
Iris tectorum flowers open in April-May, emerging from the leaf clump, in colors such as blue, purple, yellow, white, and pale red. The flowers are large and beautiful, and the capsules have 6 ridges.
Morphological characteristics of Iris tectorum
Iris tectorum is a perennial herb with alternate leaves in 2 rows, sword-shaped, 30-45 cm long and about 2 cm wide.
Iris tectorum flowers are blue-purple, with 1-3 arranged in a raceme. At the base of the flower stalk there is a spathe, 4-5 cm long; tepals 6, in 2 whorls. The outer whorl has 3 rounded segments with a crest-like projection on top, white or blue; the inner whorl has 3 smaller segments, arching and upright; stamens 3, inserted at the base of the outer tepals; ovary inferior.
Iris tectorum is about 80 cm tall. Leaves are sword-shaped, thin in texture, and light green. The flower stalk bears several flowers, and the corolla is purple-white. The outer 3 are larger and rounded, drooping; the inner 3 are smaller and obovate. Stamens are opposite the outer tepals; the style is 3-lobed, flat and petal-like, covering the stamens.
The rhizome is flat-cylindrical, grayish brown on the surface, with nodes; branches often occur at the nodes. The internode part is swollen at one end and narrowed at the other, and the swollen part is densely covered with concentric ring lines, becoming denser toward the top.
Iris tectorum capsules are long elliptical, with 6 ridges, 3-4 cm long. Seeds are numerous, round, and black.
Iris tectorum flowers emerge from the leaf clump, in colors such as blue, purple, yellow, white, and pale red. The flowers are large and beautiful. Flowering period is April-May, fruiting period is October-November, and the capsules have 6 ridges.
Ecological habits of Iris tectorum
Iris tectorum likes sunlight but can tolerate partial shade and drought, and is suitable for planting in wind-sheltered sandy loam. It has strong adaptability to the environment and is relatively easy to cultivate and manage. It can be planted in the open ground in clumps or grown in pots for appreciation.
Iris tectorum grows in moist places under forests, at the foot of mountains, and beside streams. Iris tectorum prefers moist and fertile places, and is mainly distributed in the Central Plains, Southwest China, and East China.
The ideal relative humidity for Iris tectorum is around 75%. Be careful to avoid large fluctuations in humidity or gradual humidity changes. On warm sunny days, cloudy days, or humid weather, relative humidity tends to be higher. Corresponding measures must be taken, and humidity needs to be reduced by heating and ventilating at the same time. After planting, temperature is the most important factor. The temperature should be above 5 degrees, the maximum temperature around 20 degrees, and the most suitable temperature around 17 degrees.
Cultivation techniques for Iris tectorum Planting period
Autumn-spring planting (newly harvested bulbs)
During and after planting Iris tectorum, the soil temperature should be below 20°C.
Regarding bulb size, the largest bulbs (circumference above 10 cm) are relatively higher in quality. Bulbs with a circumference of 9-10 cm are generally planted on December 1. Because they are slightly smaller than the former, their quality is somewhat poorer.
Whether in an unheated greenhouse or in the open field, planting can begin in November. Because Iris tectorum is susceptible to frost damage, the soil should be appropriately covered with straw (100 kg per 100 square meters). From May 15 onward, some varieties such as "RoyalYellow" and "YellowQueen" can no longer be stored, and can no longer be
used. Before May 15, all bulbs can be used. In temperate regions, all bulbs (large or small size) can be planted in a heated greenhouse on January 1.
Summer planting
Summer planting of Iris tectorum carries certain risks. This is because Iris tectorum yield directly depends on the temperature during the growing period. If the average temperature is expected to be above 25°C, then the planting plan will have to be canceled. At this time, planting can only be advanced or postponed.
Autumn planting (bulbs for delayed planting)
Depending on soil temperature (preferably below 20°C), cultivation can begin on September 1, or in temperate regions varieties such as "BlueMagic", "Ideal", and "Prof.Blaauw" can be planted earlier.
During this period, only bulbs with a size of 9-10 cm and above 10 cm are suitable for planting.
Table 1 summarizes the recommended planting periods for different varieties. If the variety is recommended, the corresponding planting density is also listed in the table.
Planting method
Iris tectorum is usually pressed into the soil with the thumb. Before planting, the soil needs to be loosened and made slightly moist. Then, gently press each bulb with the thumb until most of the bulb is buried in the soil. This method is called the "finger-pressing method." The above series of operations is all to protect the root crown of the bulb and the germinating roots from damage.
In greenhouses and open fields, if frost is expected before plant growth, it is best to plant the bulbs in seedbeds. After planting, cover the seedbed with soil until the tip of the bulb is just covered. This treatment is also suitable for warm climate conditions to prevent the soil temperature at the bulbs from exceeding 20°C.
Planting depth and density
Special attention should be paid when planting Iris tectorum bulbs. Especially when the root system begins to grow, try to avoid damaging the roots. Using the finger-pressing method, carefully press 3/4 of the bulb into the soil. The planting depth in the seedbed is 7-10 cm, then cover with soil up to the tip of the bulb. Compared with shallow planting, deep planting prevents frost damage and maintains the soil temperature at the bulb base at the ideal level. Bulbs planted shallowly will be damaged because the soil dries out. In strong winds, the plants will lodge. During the high-temperature period of the year, the surface soil tends to dry out, and root moisture is insufficient. For this reason, cover the soil before it dries out (using straw, rice husks, or shade netting).
Planting density varies with variety, bulb size, planting period, and planting location. The following table gives planting density based on the above factors.
Plant support
Depending on the planting period, climate, and variety, support should be provided for the plants throughout their growing period. For example, in autumn planting in temperate regions, the period is relatively long, so support should be provided. In other months, especially in summer, when plant height exceeds 80 cm, support is very important. At harvest, cut flowers are removed rather than cut off, and the support can prevent the plants from lodging. Usually the support used is chrysanthemum netting. It also plays a role in determining planting density. As the plants grow, the support netting is raised accordingly.
Soil
For the production of Iris tectorum cut flowers, practically any type of soil can be used, as long as it drains well, has strong moisture retention, and does not become compacted (otherwise it will restrict plant growth). Good soil structure is a basic requirement, because this is very necessary for the frequent large-scale cultivation of Iris tectorum, which has a short growing period.
In heavy loam, it is recommended to add materials such as peat, vermiculite, or coarse sand and mix them into the soil to a depth of about 25 cm to improve the soil.
For soil that easily becomes compacted, after planting, cover the soil surface with a layer of materials such as rice husks, straw, pine needles, black peat, or similar materials to prevent soil compaction. This method can also be used to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.
In order to quickly remove excess water, a well-functioning drainage system should be installed. This also makes it possible to flush greenhouse soil with water. This treatment can prevent salt accumulation problems caused by growing heavy-feeding crops or by using less water during a certain planting stage.
Salt sensitivity
Iris tectorum is a salt-sensitive plant. In soil with excessively high salt content, root growth is slow or even damaged, and the plant's water uptake is restricted, causing flower dehydration.
In order to reduce excessively high salt concentration, the soil needs to be thoroughly flushed before planting (use 200-400 mm of water per square meter of soil surface).
After growing crops that receive more fertilizer, such as chrysanthemums, roses, carnations, and tomatoes, or after a stage with less watering, the salt content in the soil can become too high. High soil salt content may also be caused after growing late-harvested crops such as freesia. Therefore, it is recommended not to use large amounts of synthetic fertilizer before or just after planting. For this reason, conduct a soil sampling survey at least 6 weeks before starting planting, so that values for various salt contents in the soil can be obtained.
The following elements in soil samples must not exceed the recommended levels:
Total salt (conductivity value) 1.0-1.5 mmol at 25°C in soil
Chloride salt (table salt) 1.5-2.0 milliequivalents
Potassium salt 0.8-1.5 milliequivalents
Nitrogen salt 1.0-2.0 milliequivalents
Magnesium salt 2.0 milliequivalents
Phosphorus salt not more than 5.0 mg per liter
The electrical conductivity level of irrigation water must not exceed 0.5 millisiemens/cm. In greenhouses, the chloride salt concentration used must not exceed 50 mg/L; in open fields, the chloride salt concentration used must not exceed 450 mg/L. If the irrigation water cannot meet the standard, then Iris tectorum production cannot be carried out.
However, if the salt concentration in the irrigation water exceeds the standard due to various circumstances, the soil should be kept as moist as possible, which can prevent the salt concentration from rising due to soil drying.
Fertilization
Generally speaking, applying base fertilizer before planting is not advisable, because it will increase the salt concentration in the soil and delay the root growth of Iris tectorum. Conduct a soil sampling survey before planting to ensure the soil contains the correct nutrients. Sampling must be done after soil treatment and flushing. In this way, the missing nutrients can be supplied later by directly adding fertilizer to the soil. Iris tectorum is sensitive to fluorine. Therefore, fertilizers containing fluorine (phosphate fertilizer) and triple phosphate fertilizers are prohibited. Conversely, fertilizers such as diphosphate should be used.
Weed control
The growth process of Iris tectorum takes only 8-12 weeks. In such a short growing time, if the soil has been treated by steaming, flooding, plowing, and so on, then there is no need to consider weeding during plant growth. After the plants are planted, chemical herbicides are mainly used to remove weeds. However, when applying them, be careful not to cause damage to the plants.
If weeds begin to grow in the field after the plants are planted, herbicides can only be applied when the bulbs are buried deeply enough. The newly sprouted young shoots of the bulbs must be at least 2 cm below the soil surface to avoid herbicide damage.
Before the plants unfold their leaves, small weeds in the greenhouse or open field can be controlled by spraying suitable herbicides. If ordinary herbicides cannot effectively control some annual grass weeds, compound herbicides should be used instead. When applying, do so near dusk, spray on the plants, and then spray enough water. Early the next morning, thoroughly rinse from the top of the plants. Because herbicides have residual effects, be sure to pay attention to the following points. The herbicide applied in each field each year must be limited, preferably no more than 2 times; use herbicides only when absolutely necessary; do not plant varieties that are sensitive to herbicides.
Growing temperature in the greenhouse
After planting, soil temperature is the most important factor. The minimum temperature is 5-8°C, and the maximum temperature is 20°C. The level of soil temperature directly affects the emergence rate. Too low a soil temperature will reduce flowering ability, so the optimal soil temperature should be controlled between 16-18°C.
For producing Iris tectorum in a greenhouse, the optimal temperature is 15°C. In order to shorten the growing period, newly harvested bulbs can be used at planting, and the greenhouse temperature should be kept at 18°C for the first 4-3 weeks. This temperature can be maintained until January 1, but it will cause the plants to be weak. A temperature of 13°C or lower will prolong the growing period and at the same time increase plant weight, but the probability of flower withering increases. To promote flowering, for example with "BlueMagic", if the greenhouse high temperature has already been maintained, then lowering the temperature is a wise move.
In autumn, during plant growth, especially in temperate regions, when light is insufficient, the greenhouse temperature must be lowered to prevent flower withering. Generally control it at 10-13°C. Taking "BlueMagic" as an example, lower the temperature to 10-8-5°C, and try to ensure plant growth. If the leaves appear excessive at all stages, then consider trimming off some leaves.
The average day and night temperature for production can be 20-23°C, with a minimum temperature of 5°C. In greenhouses with high temperatures and weak light, lack of light is the main cause of flower withering.
In areas where frost damage frequently occurs, production can only be carried out in greenhouses. The suitable growing temperature should be arranged at night. Therefore, unheated greenhouses should be closed early to make the night temperature as suitable as possible. During the day, ventilation should be started early to avoid damage caused by the temperature rising above 18°C. Shading can also achieve the purpose of temperature control, but a suitable light level still needs to be maintained.
Open-field growing temperature
The optimal temperature for open-field growth is 15-17°C. Continuous high temperatures during the day can be shaded with shade netting. It can not only reduce direct solar radiation, but also increase temperature.
The minimum and maximum temperatures for open-field cultivation are 5°C and 25°C. For soil temperature, it should be kept the same as during greenhouse growth.
Humidity
The ideal relative humidity is between 75-80%. It is important to avoid large fluctuations in humidity or gradual humidity changes. On warm sunny days, cloudy days, or humid weather, relative humidity tends to be higher. Corresponding measures must be taken, and humidity needs to be reduced by heating and ventilating at the same time.
Ventilation
For temperature control and humidity reduction, ventilation is a very important means. When ventilating, be careful that humidity does not drop too quickly, otherwise the leaves will wither, leading to a decline in cut flower quality.
Shading
Shading equipment can control temperature, humidity, and light in the greenhouse. In months with strong light, the temperature in ventilated greenhouses and open fields is too high (above 25°C). In this case, shading combined with ventilation can suppress the decline in cut flower quality.
Carbon dioxide
Completely different from lilies, carbon dioxide has no effect on the flowering and growth of Iris tectorum.
Irrigation
As mentioned earlier, the soil must be watered before planting, and the soil should be kept moist during planting to promote rapid rooting.
After the bulbs are planted, the soil should also be kept moist. After that, throughout the growing period, the soil must remain fully moist for a long time. Suitable humidity is very important for the growth of Iris tectorum, because insufficient humidity will show as insufficient plant height and flowers that easily wither.
The irrigation amount cannot be calculated precisely, because it is related to many factors such as weather, greenhouse climate, soil type, crop growth cycle, and growth stage. The simplest way to determine whether soil moisture is suitable is to take a small amount of soil and squeeze it in your hand. If the soil clump does not fall apart when released and still maintains its shape, then the moisture is moderate.
When air circulation is poor and this is accompanied by cloudy, humid, or warm-humid weather, excessive water will cause severe disease. At this time, bacterial and fungal diseases are especially likely to occur.
For the same reason, it is better to water in the morning. Watering in the morning allows the plants to dry off. During the harvest period, water only after the flowers have been picked, otherwise gray mold spots will appear on the flowers.
For irrigation, it is best to use overhead sprinkling with uniform water output.
Cultivation cycle
The length of the Iris tectorum growth cycle depends on the variety, bulb treatment, production location (greenhouse or open field), and growing temperature. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact cultivation cycle for different varieties. In a heated greenhouse, after temperature adjustment, the cultivation cycles of different Iris tectorum lines are as follows:
Ideal class: 50-60 days
Prof.Blaauw class: 60-80 days
BlueMagic class:
Tingitana class: 70-90 days
Small-bulb class: 65-85 days
Other classes: 55-75 days
Iris tectorum cultivation methods Growing temperature
After planting Iris tectorum, temperature is the most important factor. The temperature should be above 5 degrees, the maximum temperature around 20 degrees, and the most suitable temperature around 17 degrees.
Growing humidity
The ideal relative humidity for Iris tectorum is around 75%. Be careful to avoid large fluctuations in humidity or gradual humidity changes. On warm sunny days, cloudy days, or humid weather, relative humidity tends to be higher. Corresponding measures must be taken, and humidity needs to be reduced by heating and ventilating at the same time.
Shading
Shading can control temperature, humidity, and light in the greenhouse. In months with strong light, the temperature in ventilated greenhouses and open fields is too high (above 25°C). In this case, shading combined with ventilation can suppress the decline in cut flower quality.
Fertilization
Chemical fertilizers commonly used for greenhouse Phalaenopsis include monopotassium phosphate, compound fertilizer, and some special orchid fertilizers. The application method is to dilute with water to 2000 times, then apply manually or add to an automatic sprinkler irrigation system for spraying. According to different growth stages of Phalaenopsis, the composition of the chemical fertilizer applied should differ. The fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio is 20:20:20 for the vegetative growth stage of small and medium seedlings; 7:11:27 for large seedlings and flowering plants. The fertilization interval should preferably be once every 7 to 10 days.
Pest and disease control
Iris tectorum commonly suffers from brown spot and soft rot. It can be sprayed with 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 1000 times dilution. Pests include scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with 2.5% deltamethrin EC at 3000 times dilution.
Post-Bloom Care
After the iris flowers wither, the flower stems can be cut off from the base; when the growing medium ages, it should be replaced in time.
Key Cultivation Points
If the surrounding temperature during the production stage is below 5°C, the bulbs must be planted in a greenhouse. This is because irises are quite susceptible to frost damage, which causes plant growth to stop. At other times of the year, when the temperature is no higher than 25°C, they can be planted in a greenhouse. When the surrounding temperature is not lower than 5°C and the soil temperature is no higher than 20°C, they can be planted outdoors. The advantage of growing in a greenhouse is that when external conditions are unsuitable, methods such as ventilation and shading can be used to maintain a relatively balanced day and night temperature and relative humidity. Heating equipment can improve crop quality. In temperate regions, planting outdoors in summer produces better quality products than growing in poorly ventilated greenhouses.
Propagation Methods of Iris
Iris cultivation is often combined with propagation, and the main propagation methods are division and seed sowing.
Division Propagation
Division is carried out in early spring or late autumn. For open-field cultivation, a planting bed should first be prepared, and soybean cake fertilizer or manure should be applied as a base fertilizer; dead branches and old roots should first be cut off, then the root base should be divided, with each rhizome retaining 2-3 buds as a cluster, and 2-3 clusters as one plant. Plant 9-15 plants per sq m, with the planting depth such that the bud-bearing rhizome base is not exposed. After planting, water thoroughly once, then regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds. If growth is poor, apply additional fertilizer 2-3 times. After blooming, cut off the flower stems to conserve nutrients; after winter arrives, cut off the dead leaves. Potted cultivation follows the same method, but in winter the plants should be moved for overwintering without the need for special heating.
There are two types of division. Perennial irises are divided once every two to four years, carried out separately after flowering in spring and autumn. It is best to divide the rhizomes into sections with three to four buds. Bulbous irises reproduce through the production of new bulbs and daughter bulbs from the planting bulb. Seed sowing means sowing immediately after harvest; the seeds germinate easily and can flower in two to three years.
Bulb Propagation
After a planting bulb is grown and blooms for one year, its nutrients will be depleted and it produces a new bulb, around which there will be many daughter bulbs. The daughter bulbs, after 1 to 2 years of cultivation, can develop into flowering bulbs. In recent years, tissue culture has been carried out abroad on different organs of bulbous irises such as axillary buds, scales, stem discs and flower stems, to produce new bulbs, which provides a new method for accelerating propagation and cultivating disease-free, robust mother bulbs.
Key Points for Disease and Pest Control of Iris ⟧13⟧Iris commonly suffers from brown spot and soft rot, which can be controlled by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder.
Irises commonly suffer from brown spot disease and soft rot; they can be sprayed with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder.
Common pests of iris include scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with a 3000-fold dilution of 2.5% beta-cypermethrin emulsifiable concentrate.
Rust Disease
In the early stage of the disease, it can be controlled with a 400-fold dilution of 25% triadimefon;
Soft Rot
It can be controlled with Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:100. For the pest moth, it can be controlled by drenching the roots with a 1200-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon.
Leaf Blight
Iris leaf blight is a common disease with very strong infectivity, which has a great impact on the growth of iris. Its symptoms, patterns of occurrence and control methods are described as follows:
Symptoms: It mostly starts from the leaf tip, where grayish-brown lesions or patchy withering appear in the early stage, then gradually spreads toward the leaf base, finally causing the entire leaf to become scorched and withered, with black granular bodies appearing.
Occurrence pattern: The pathogen overwinters as sclerotia in the soil or on diseased plant residues, and spreads with rain, wind or watering in mid-spring. The disease can occur throughout the growing season, with June to September being the peak period.
Control methods: Strengthen quarantine and do not introduce diseased plants. Disinfect the soil and plants before planting. Strengthen daily maintenance and prevent water accumulation in the planting area. In the early stage of the disease, promptly cut off diseased leaves to reduce the source of infection. In winter, cut off the leaves on the ground surface and burn them in a centralized manner. If the disease occurs, alternate spraying with a 800-fold dilution of 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder and a 1500-fold dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder, spraying 4 to 5 times consecutively with an interval of 8 to 10 days each time.
Variety Classification of Iris
The genus Iris can be divided into perennial irises and bulbous irises.
Perennial Iris
Perennial irises grow as perennials in many flower gardens, with Iris germanica, Iris sibirica and Iris pseudacorus being the most common. Iris germanica blooms in a variety of colors: white, blue, purple, purplish-red, yellow and mixed colors; Iris sibirica is almost always blue or blue-purple, with very few being white or yellow; while Iris pseudacorus is always yellow.
Bulbous Iris
The number of groups included in bulbous irises is very small. However, in commercial flower production, these groups are extremely important. Among them, the reticulata iris group consists of some cultivars that bloom early and have a short flowering period. For example, the blue-purple Iris reticulata and the yellow Iris danfordiae are two of them. The Spanish group includes all Dutch irises, Spanish irises and English irises. However, the Dutch iris is the most important in the production of these flowers.
Dutch irises include a large number of cultivars, and "Blue Magic" and "Prof. Blaauw" are widely grown. Classifying irises by color is a simple and practical method. They can be divided into purple types, blue types, white types, yellow-white types, mixed colors of yellow with various other colors, and multi-colored types.
Distinguishing Daylily from Iris
1. The two differ in their position in plant taxonomy. Daylily belongs to the genus Hemerocallis in the Liliaceae family, with about 14 species worldwide and 11 species in China, all of which are very beautiful ornamental plants, the most famous representative being the daylily (H. citrina) used as a vegetable. Common horticultural cultivars include Hemerocallis middendorffii and Hemerocallis fulva. Iris belongs to the genus Iris in the Iridaceae family, a genus much larger than Hemerocallis, with more than 300 members, about 40 species in China, all of which are also beautiful ornamental flowers. Famous ornamental species include Iris tectorum, Iris germanica, Iris japonica and Iris pseudacorus.
2. The two live in different environments. Daylily is a plant more adapted to dry environments and is generally planted in sunny grassy areas, while iris is a hygrophytic plant that has adapted to moist environments, and if grown long-term in dry soil it will grow poorly or even die. In horticulture, daylily is generally used as flowerbed ground cover or in flower borders, while iris mainly plays a role in waterscapes.
3. Differences in external morphology. In terms of flowers, although both are composed of six tepals, the six tepals of the daylily are almost the same size, resembling a lily; while the iris has three large, drooping outer tepals and three small inner ones, looking from a distance like a dancing butterfly, hence the beautiful name "butterfly flower." As for the leaves, daylily leaves are elongated strips, slightly concave in the middle, with a distinct midrib, growing in clumps; while iris leaves are slightly wider than those of the daylily, shaped overall like a sword, without a distinct midrib, and the base of newly grown leaves is wrapped within the leaf sheath of the old leaves. Finally, looking at the fruit, the daylily fruit is generally round and relatively small, while the iris fruit is elliptical and often relatively large.
Distribution Range of Iris
Iris is native to China and Japan, and is cultivated in most areas of China, mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi and Sichuan.
Medicinal or Dietary Value of Iris
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Medicinal Value
Functions and Indications
Iris can relieve food stagnation, break blood stasis, promote water metabolism and detoxify. It is used for food stagnation with abdominal distension, abdominal masses, swelling and toxicity, hemorrhoids and fistulas, and traumatic injuries.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer and autumn, the fibrous roots are removed and it is sun-dried.
Characteristics
The rhizome of iris is flat-cylindrical, grayish-brown on the surface, with nodes, which often branch at the nodes; the internode portion is swollen at one end and narrowed at the other, and the swollen part is densely covered with concentric ring patterns, becoming denser closer to the top.
Chemical Composition
Contains tectoridin, iristectorin A and B, tectoruside, etc.
Nature and Flavor
Cold in nature, pungent and bitter in flavor; toxic.
Uses and Purposes of Iris: Potted Plant Uses
Iris is a beautiful potted flower, cut flower and flowerbed flower, and is one of the important flowers for garden arrangement and cut flower production; it can be used for small-area flowerbed arrangement as well as flower border and flower cluster planting.
Ornamental Value
Iris has graceful flower forms, bright colors and upright flower stems. It can often be used as a cut flower through forced cultivation, and can also be enjoyed as a water-grown plant.
Landscape Uses of Iris
Iris has large flowers, brilliant colors and peculiar flower shapes, like an iris or a butterfly, with fresh green leaves like swords or ribbons, possessing high ornamental value. In garden arrangement it can be used in specialized gardens, rock gardens, etc., creating good landscape effects.
Road greening, forming larger-scale forest belts, slope protection green spaces along highways and rivers, color embellishment of large lawns, edging and ground cover of garden paths, flower borders, flowerbeds and tree beds, etc., all require the extensive use of perennial flowers.
Making full use of suitable perennial flowers can not only save greening costs, but also allow urban residents to enjoy brilliant flowers throughout the year, and can further enrich the currently rather monotonous ground cover plant varieties in urban areas. Iris, Iris lactea, Iris pseudacorus, Iris ensata and Iris sanguinea are currently used more in gardens. Iris is mainly used as ground cover under forests, mainly for soil fixation and slope protection; Iris pseudacorus can be seen in almost all waterside greening; Iris ensata and Iris sanguinea are likewise mainly used for waterside greening; these plants have high ornamental value, but their range and methods of application are still insufficient, being mostly limited to waterside greening or wild states.
Iris is blue-purple, with a flower shape like a dancing butterfly. In May, the season when iris blooms, you can see one blue butterfly after another dancing among the green leaves, as if carrying the news of spring to distant places.
Landscape Value
The diversity of Iris plant resources allows its landscape value in ecological garden construction to be fully reflected. At present, there are more than 20,000 varieties of Iris plants worldwide. According to differences in their living habits, phenological periods and flower colors, using them as materials to scientifically and reasonably arrange and green terrestrial and aquatic ecological landscapes, fully bringing out their natural beauty of posture, lines and colors, achieves the effect of creating landscapes and beautifying the environment, and provides good places for rest and tourism.
Ecological Value
Another important function of urban ecological gardens is to have good ecological functions. As ornamental ground cover plants in ecological gardens, Iris plants not only have good landscape value, but also play a clear role in regulating microclimates, conserving soil and water, wind protection and dust reduction, maintaining ecological balance, improving the urban ecological environment and enhancing community stability. Iris has a well-developed root system and above-ground plants, and has a significant effect on fixing surface soil, preventing soil erosion and sand movement [23 ~ 24]. They are divided into different functional groups, respectively occupying ecological niches from winter to summer and from dry to moist.
Cultural Background, Stories and Legends of Iris
The French regard the iris as their national flower. This is because legend says that when Clovis, king of the first dynasty of the Kingdom of France, was baptized, God gave him a gift, which was the iris.
In France, the iris is a symbol of light and freedom.
Iris is the collective name for a group of herbaceous flowering plants. This flower consists of an envelope formed by 6 petal-like leaves, 3 or 6 stamens, and an ovary enclosed by the flower base.
The name of this plant comes from the messenger of the gods and the rainbow that connects the earth and other worlds.
There is another legend that the rainbow once saved the life of a 6th-century Frankish king. When he saw the rainbow rising from the Rhine River, he knew the river water was shallow enough at that time, so he crossed the river and escaped pursuit by the enemy.
Iris plants grow in Japan, China, Siberia and almost the entire temperate world.
The iris flower is named because its petals are shaped like the tail of an iris bird, and its genus name Iris means "rainbow" in Greek, implying rich flower colors. General flower growers and flower arrangers commonly call it "Alice" based on the transliteration of its genus name. In Greek mythology, Alice is the goddess of the rainbow, the messenger between the gods and the mortal world, whose main task is to carry the souls of good people after death back to heaven via the rainbow bridge between heaven and earth.
To this day, Greeks often plant this flower in cemeteries, hoping that the souls of the dead can be entrusted to Alice to bring back to heaven, which is also the origin of the flower meaning "messenger of love." In ancient Egypt, iris represented "power" and "eloquence."
Israelis generally regard the yellow iris as a symbol of "gold," hence the custom of planting irises in cemeteries, hoping to bring wealth in the afterlife.
Monet also planted irises in his garden at Giverny; and using them as a theme, he left on canvas scenes of irises full of the rhythm of natural vitality.
The colorful irises each represent different meanings. White iris represents purity, yellow indicates enduring friendship and warmth and cheerfulness, blue is appreciation of the other's simple elegance and generosity or secret admiration, and purple implies love and good fortune.
National Flower and City Flower of Iris
The French regard the iris as their national flower. In France, the iris is a symbol of light and freedom.
Flower Language of Iris
In China, iris is often used to symbolize love and friendship, a bright future, boundless prospects and keen insight. Europeans love iris and regard it as symbolizing bright freedom. In ancient Egypt, iris was a symbol of power and eloquence.
Iris: messenger of good news, missing you, elegant heart, mission, messenger of love.
White iris: purity.
Yellow iris: enduring friendship, warmth and cheerfulness.
Blue iris: appreciation of the other's simple elegance and generosity or secret admiration; some also consider it to represent drifting in destiny and shattered passion, exquisite beauty, but fragile and fleeting.
Purple iris: love and good fortune.
Iris Alice (purple-blue): good news, messenger, missing you.
Iris germanica (deep sapphire blue): sacred.
Small iris (bright yellow): working together to resist, one heart.
Iris Pictures
Calamus
[Species Name] Calamus
[Pinyin] Chāngpú
[English Name] calamus / flag / flagleaf
[Also Known As] Stinking calamus, water calamus, mud calamus, large-leaf calamus, white calamus
[Latin Scientific Name] Acorus calamus Linn
[Family and Genus Classification] Araceae, Acorus
[Flower Language] · Mysterious person (because what is commonly called calamus actually includes many species, and these species have different flower languages. Therefore, calamus is said to have a dual flower language.)
[Morphological Characteristics]
The LD50 of calamus oil injected intraperitoneally in rats is 221 mg/kg; within a few minutes, rapid and shallow breathing appears, followed by paroxysmal convulsions and then tonic convulsions, and finally death [5]. Intraperitoneal injection of 4 g/kg of the aqueous extract of the rhizome in mice has a sedative effect; the MLD of the alcohol extract is 4 g/kg, and the Ldloo is 8 g/kg. The variety Japanese calamus (A. Calamus L. var. Angustatus Buss.) causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea after poisoning.
A perennial aquatic herbaceous plant. Aromatic, with a horizontal rhizome, thick, slightly flattened, 0.5~2 cm in diameter, with many adventitious roots (fibrous roots). Leaves basal, blade sword-shaped linear, 50~120 cm long, or longer, 1~3 cm wide in the middle, leaf base sheathing, clasping the stem, tapering below the middle, midrib obvious, both sides raised, with 3~5 parallel veins on each side; leaf base with membranous leaf sheath, later deciduous. Flower stem arising from the base, flatly triangular, 20~50 cm long, leaf-like spathe 20~40 cm long. Spadix erect or growing obliquely upward, cylindrical, yellow-green, 4~9 mm long, 6~12 cm in diameter; flowers bisexual, densely growing, tepals 6, linear, 2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide; stamens 6, slightly longer than the tepals, filaments flat, anthers pale yellow; ovary long-cylindrical, 3 mm long, 1.2 mm in diameter, apex conical, style short, ovules numerous. Berry red, oblong, with 1~4 seeds. Flowering period June to September, fruiting period August to October.
Geographical DistributionDistributed throughout northern and southern China. Widely distributed in the temperate and subtropical zones of the world. Grows in shallow water areas along the banks of ponds and lakes, in swamps or pools. The most suitable growth temperature is 20~25°C, and growth stops below 10°C. In winter, it overwinters by having its underground stem burrow into the mud.
PropagationSexual reproduction means seed propagation. Clean the collected mature red berries, sow them indoors in autumn, keep the soil moist or in shallow water, and under conditions of about 20°C they will gradually germinate in early spring; then carry out separate cultivation, and when the seedlings grow robustly, they can be transplanted and planted out. Asexual reproduction means division propagation. In early spring (around Qingming) or during the growing season, use a shovel to dig out the underground stem, wash it clean, remove old roots, stems and dead leaves and stems, then use a sharp knife to cut the underground stem into several blocks, each retaining 3~4 new buds, for propagation. When dividing during the growing season, dig up the plant with roots, wash it clean, remove 2/3 of the roots, then divide into blocks; when dividing, keep the young leaves, buds and new roots in good condition. For open-field cultivation, choose low-lying land beside a pond; the planting spacing for small blocks is 20 m and for large blocks 50 m, but it must be based on the needs of the waterscape arrangement, and planting methods such as band-shaped, rectangular, geometric, etc. can be used. The planting depth should keep the main bud close to the mud surface, while irrigating 1~3 cm of water. For pot cultivation, choose a watertight pot with an inner stem of 40~50 cm, apply sufficient base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot, dig a hole in the middle to plant the rhizome, with the growing point exposed above the soil surface, and add 1~3 cm of water. Calamus has strong adaptability during the growing season and can be managed extensively. During the growing season, maintain the water level or moisture, apply additional fertilizer 2~3 times, and combine fertilization with weeding. In the early stage, mainly use nitrogen fertilizer; before heading and flowering, mainly apply phosphate and potassium fertilizer; each time you fertilize, be sure to put the fertilizer into the mud (below 5 cm of the mud surface). Before overwintering, clear away the dead branches and fallen leaves of the above-ground part, and burn them in a centralized manner or compost them. Open-field cultivation needs renewal every 2~3 years, and pot cultivation needs replacement and division once every 2 years.
ClassificationThere are three plants, all abbreviated as calamus. For example: Anemone altaica calamus, stone calamus and water calamus, etc. They come from different plants respectively, and their functions and indications are also different.
Anemone altaica calamus:
Also called nine-node calamus, calamus. It comes from the dried rhizome of Anemone altaica in the Ranunculaceae family. Warm in nature and pungent in flavor, with the effects of opening the orifices and resolving phlegm, awakening the spleen and calming the mind. Medicinal characteristics: slightly spindle-shaped, slightly curved, 1~6 cm long, 3~7 mm in diameter. Surface brownish-yellow to dark brown, with many semi-ring-shaped protruding nodes, arranged obliquely and alternately, with scale leaf scars and dot-like protruding root scars on the nodes. Texture hard and brittle, fractured surface granular, off-white, powdery, with pale yellow vascular bundle dots intermittently forming a ring. Slight odor, taste slightly sour and numbing to the tongue.
Stone calamus:
It comes from the dried rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii in the Araceae family. Warm in nature, pungent and bitter in flavor, with the effects of resolving dampness and opening the appetite, opening the orifices and clearing phlegm, refreshing the mind and benefiting the intellect. Medicinal characteristics: flat-cylindrical, often curved, often branched, 3~20 cm long, 0.3~1 cm in diameter, surface brownish-brown, brownish-red or grayish-brown, rough, with unevenly spaced nodes, with fine longitudinal wrinkles; on the upper side there are slightly triangular leaf scars arranged alternately left and right; on the lower side there are round dot-like root scars or residual fibrous roots; at the nodes, residual hairy scale-like leaf bases are sometimes visible. Texture hard and brittle, fractured surface fibrous, off-white or slightly red, endodermal ring obvious, with many scattered vascular bundle dots and brown oil dots visible. Aromatic odor, bitter and slightly pungent taste. The rhizome is flat-cylindrical, slightly curved, often branched, 3~20 cm long, 0.3~1 cm in diameter. Surface brownish-brown, brownish-red or grayish-yellow, rough, with many nodes.
Water calamus:
Also called Tibetan calamus, it comes from the dried rhizome of Acorus calamus in the Araceae family. Warm in nature, bitter in flavor, with the effects of resolving phlegm and opening the orifices, strengthening the spleen and draining dampness. Medicinal characteristics: shaped like stone calamus, but thicker and larger, with few branches, 1~1.5 cm in diameter. Surface off-white to brownish-red, nodes relatively sparse, internodes 2~15 mm long. Texture hard, fractured surface poorly fibrous, spongy, with many small cavities, slightly muddy and fishy in odor. Rhizome flat-cylindrical, rarely branched, 10~24 cm long, 1~1.5 cm in diameter. Surface off-white to brownish-red, with fine longitudinal striations; internodes 0.2~1.5 cm long, with sunken round dot-like root scars on the upper side, and residual brownish-red hairy fibers on the nodes. Texture hard, fractured surface spongy, off-white or light brown; cross-section with an obvious endodermal ring, with many small cavities and vascular bundle dots. Odor relatively strong and distinctive, taste bitter and pungent.
[Identification of the Three]
Take 1 g of powder from each, soak in 10 ml of ether for 20 minutes, take the extract and spot it on filter paper, and after drying observe under ultraviolet light (254 nm): Anemone altaica calamus shows light green fluorescence; stone calamus shows purplish-red fluorescence; water calamus shows blue-purple fluorescence. The three are most easily distinguished by the size of the medicinal material. Anemone altaica calamus is fine, 0.3~0.7 cm in diameter; stone calamus is 0.3~1 cm in diameter; water calamus is the thickest, 1~1.5 cm in diameter.
UsesCalamus has lush green foliage, dignified and elegant, with a fragrance, suitable for waterside greening along waterscapes and water bodies. It can also be used for potted ornamental display or as a backdrop. The leaves and inflorescences can also be used as cut flower materials. It can be planted in shallow water or used as a wetland plant. It is the main foliage plant in waterscape gardens. The whole plant is aromatic and can be used as a spice or to repel mosquitoes; the stems and leaves can be used as medicine.
Medicinal PartsThe rhizome is used medicinally; the rhizome is harvested from August to September, the stems, leaves and fine roots are removed, and it is sun-dried.
Nature and flavor: warm in nature, pungent and bitter in flavor.
Uses: It can dispel foulness and open the orifices, diffuse qi and expel phlegm, detoxify and kill insects. It treats mania, convulsions, phlegm syncope and coma, wind-cold-dampness impediment, lockjaw and toxic dysentery, and is applied externally for carbuncles, gangrene and scabies. It opens the orifices, resolves phlegm and strengthens the stomach. It is used for epilepsy, phlegm-heat convulsions, chest and abdominal distension, and chronic bronchitis.
Chemical Composition:
Contains α- and β-asarone, cis-methylisoeugenol, methyleugenol, calamendiol, acorenone, shyobunone, acorone, acoragermacrone, acolamone, isoacolamone, etc.
Dosage: 1 to 2 qian.
Acorus CultureSacred Grass
The ancients also worshipped certain grasses, for example regarding Acorus (sweet flag) of the Araceae family as a sacred grass. The Materia Medica · Acorus records: "The classic arts say: in the time of Emperor Yao, essence descended from heaven into the courtyard and became chives, and the qi of a hundred yin gathered to become Acorus, hence it is called Yao's chives. Adepts concealed it as a water sword, because of the shape of its leaves."
While worshipping it, people also personified Acorus, designating the 14th day of the 4th lunar month as its birthday: "On the 14th of the 4th month, Acorus's birthday; trim its roots and leaves, and nourish it with accumulated seawater, then it grows green and fresh easily, and is especially good for clearing the eyes." Precisely because of Acorus's divine nature, together with its high ornamental value, for thousands of years it has remained one of the important ornamental and bonsai plants in our country.
Repelling Insects
Acorus is a spiritual grass in our country's traditional culture that can prevent epidemics and ward off evil, and together with orchid, narcissus and chrysanthemum it is called the "Four Elegants of Flowers and Grasses." Acorus is named for awakening before all other plants just as the cold winter ends. Acorus "does not depend on the sun's color, nor on a inch of soil," and "endures bitter cold, is content with simplicity"; growing in the wild it is full of vitality, rich and moist, and placed in the hall it stands gracefully, elegant and refined, and since ancient times it has been deeply loved by people. In Jiangnan households, on every Dragon Boat Festival, Acorus and mugwort leaves are hung on doors and windows, and Acorus wine is drunk, to ward off evil and epidemics; on summer and autumn nights, the custom of burning Acorus and mugwort leaves to drive away mosquitoes and insects is maintained to this day. Acorus has sword-shaped leaves full of green, dignified and beautiful, and is an excellent choice for indoor potted display. Bonsai made with Acorus is both poetic and effective against pollution. When the ancients read at night, they often placed a pot of Acorus under the oil lamp, because Acorus has the function of absorbing fine dust in the air, sparing them the hardship of lamp smoke stinging the eyes. Acorus is also an indispensable plant along the banks of ponds and lakes in our country's traditional garden landscaping.
Acorus is naturally robust and highly adaptable, growing luxuriantly without special management, and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. In daily cultivation and propagation, division is mostly used; in early spring or during the growing season the rhizome can be dug out, old roots removed, a certain number of roots, young leaves and buds retained, and divided into stems of 5 cm to 10 cm. If planted by the water, it can be set at a spacing of 20 cm to 30 cm, planted in fertile, soft soil, keeping the main bud close to the soil surface. For indoor display it is mostly grown in water; as long as the clear water does not dry up, it can survive for decades without withering. When cultivating, according to personal preference, placement and plant size, choose a medium-depth glass or other watertight vessel, wash the Acorus stem sections clean, remove old roots and overly long roots, soak in a potassium permanganate solution at a concentration of 2 g/L to 3 g/L for 2 hours, then fill and fix it in the pot with pebbles, stones or coarse river sand, add water and place it in a well-lit spot. In daily care, besides replenishing water in time, regularly add a little commercially sold nutrient flower fertilizer or compound fertilizer to the water, and it will grow luxuriantly. Acorus is cold-tolerant; in winter no special care is needed, just clear away the dead branches and leaves. The ancients' method of cultivating Acorus was even more exquisite: "Plant it in sand, and by spring trim and wash it; the more it is trimmed the finer it becomes, in extreme cases the roots grow two or three fen long and the leaves about a cun long." Acorus is the flower representing the Dragon Boat Festival atmosphere; on the Dragon Boat Festival there is the custom of every household inserting Acorus and mugwort leaves on their doors, which can ward off evil and drive away pain. Use its straight-line leaves to express the cool feeling of early summer. When giving it as a gift, you might choose three to four clearly and brightly colored ones and tie them into a bouquet.
Acorus not only has lush green leaves and roots like white jade, standing above water by rocks, quiet and elegant, but its flowers and stems have a rich fragrance, with the effects of opening the orifices, resolving phlegm and dispersing wind, and can ward off epidemics, benefit the mind and strengthen the body; through the ages the traditional Chinese medicine classics have used Acorus rhizome as a medicine to benefit the mind and soothe the chest, sharpen hearing and brighten the eyes, and remove dampness and resolve toxins. Acorus is also an excellent "green pesticide." After mashing 500 g of Acorus rhizome, add 1 kg to 1.5 kg of water and boil for two hours; the filtrate obtained as the stock solution, diluted with 3 kg to 6 kg of water, can effectively control pests such as rice planthoppers, rice leafhoppers, rice stem borers, aphids and red spiders.
Gladiolus, also known as sword lily, gladiola, shiyangjing, and flat-stem lotus, scientific name Gladiolus hybridus, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Gladiolus in the Iridaceae family, with corms.
Biological characteristics: Gladiolus is native to tropical Africa and the Mediterranean region. It prefers cool climatic conditions and fears severe heat and severe cold. It requires fertile, loose, moist, well-drained soil.
Morphological characteristics: Gladiolus plants are 40 to 150 cm tall, each plant has 6 to 9 stiff, straight leaves, arranged in regular overlapping rows, 35 to 60 cm long, 4 to 6 cm wide, hard, with sharply pointed leaf tips, and 6 to 8 veins, raised and prominent, in a parallel pattern.
The underground part of Gladiolus has corms, fibrous roots and contractile roots. The corm is a dormant organ. Planting one mother corm in spring can yield one or several new corms over 2 cm in autumn. The corm is oblate or ovate, and its exterior is wrapped in 4 to 6 layers of brown membranous covering that protects the corm; the corm has 3 to 6 bud eyes arranged in a straight line, the central one being the main bud and the ones beside it the lateral buds. Both main and lateral buds can form new plants, and plants formed from lateral buds can also send up spikes and bloom. Around the base plate of the corm are distributed root primordia, which after sprouting form fibrous roots. When the plant has grown 3 leaves, a new corm begins to form on the mother corm, and on the new corm many new roots -- contractile roots -- grow out. With the formation of the new corm and contractile roots, the mother corm and fibrous roots gradually shrink and dry up, and after the new corm has grown, cormels are borne between the new corm and the contractile roots. Because the size of the planting corm and the variety differ, the number of cormels borne also varies; the Dahongpao variety can bear as many as 50 to 70 cormels, while the Ziqi Xiangyun variety bears only 4 to 8. Most cormels are ovate or peach-shaped.
The flower stem of Gladiolus is drawn out from the leaf cluster, a spike 30 to 75 cm long, each spike bearing 8 to 24 flowers, usually turned to one side and arranged in two rows, with a corolla diameter of 8 to 16 cm; the corolla gradually decreases from bottom to top, and the flowers open successively from bottom to top. The corolla tube is enlarged and funnel-shaped, trumpet-shaped, bell-shaped, etc., slightly curved upward.
Acorus is a perennial herb belonging to the monocotyledons, 50 to 80 cm tall, with basal leaves, sword-shaped and linear, sessile, green. Slightly cold-tolerant, it can overwinter outdoors in the East China region. It can be planted in shallow water or used as a wetland plant. It is a major foliage plant in waterscape gardens.
Acorus is divided into three kinds: Jie Acorus, Shi Acorus and Shui Acorus, which come from different plants respectively and have different functions and indications. Because the prices of the three medicinal materials on the market differ greatly, some drug merchants confuse and sell the three Acorus kinds interchangeably, and we should pay attention to distinguishing them when using them.
[Jie Acorus]
Also called Jiujie Acorus or Acorus. It comes from the dried rhizome of the Ranunculaceae plant Anemone altaica. Warm in nature and pungent in taste, its effects are opening the orifices and resolving phlegm, and reviving the spleen and calming the mind.
Medicinal properties: slightly spindle-shaped, slightly curved, 1 to 6 cm long, 3 to 7 mm in diameter. The surface is brownish-yellow to dark brown, with numerous semi-annular raised nodes, arranged obliquely and alternately, and on the nodes are scale-leaf scars and dot-like raised root scars. The texture is hard and brittle, the fractured surface granular, off-white, powdery, with pale yellow vascular bundle dots intermittently forming a ring. The odor is slight, and the taste is slightly sour and numbing to the tongue.
[Shi Acorus]
It comes from the dried rhizome of the Araceae plant Acorus tatarinowii. Warm in nature, pungent and bitter in taste, its effects are resolving dampness and opening the appetite, opening the orifices and clearing phlegm, and reviving the spirit and benefiting the mind.
Medicinal properties: flat cylindrical, mostly curved, often branched, 3 to 20 cm long, 0.3 to 1 cm in diameter; the surface is brownish, brownish-red or grayish-brown, rough, with nodes of uneven density, the internodes 2 to 8 mm long, with fine longitudinal wrinkles; on the upper side are slightly triangular leaf scars arranged alternately left and right; on the lower side are round dot-like root scars or residual fibrous roots; at the nodes there are sometimes remnants of hairy scale-like leaf bases. The texture is hard and brittle, the fractured surface fibrous, off-white or slightly red, the endodermal ring pattern obvious, and numerous scattered vascular bundle dots and brown oil dots visible. The odor is aromatic, and the taste is bitter and slightly pungent.
[Shui Acorus]
Also called Tibetan Acorus, it comes from the dried rhizome of the Araceae plant Acorus calamus. Warm in nature and bitter in taste, its effects are resolving phlegm and opening the orifices, and strengthening the spleen and draining dampness.
Medicinal properties: shaped like Shi Acorus, but larger and thicker, with few branches, 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is off-white to brownish-red, the nodes relatively sparse, the internodes 2 to 15 mm long. The texture is hard, the fractured surface poorly fibrous, spongy, with many small cavities, and a slight muddy, fishy odor.
The three are most easily distinguished by the size of the medicinal material. Jie Acorus is fine, 0.3 to 0.7 cm in diameter; Shi Acorus is 0.3 to 1 cm in diameter; Shui Acorus is the thickest, 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter.
[Chemical identification of the three]
Take 1 g of powder of each, soak in 10 ml of diethyl ether for 20 minutes, spot the extract on filter paper, and after drying observe under ultraviolet light (254 nm): Jie Acorus shows light green fluorescence; Shi Acorus shows purplish-red fluorescence; Shui Acorus shows blue-purple fluorescence.
[Jiujie Acorus]
Also called Jie Acorus, the original plant is the Ranunculaceae plant Anemone altaica Fisch. et C. A. Mey., the rhizome is used as medicine, mainly produced in Shaanxi, and also produced in Henan and Shanxi.
[Identification of Shui Acorus and Shi Acorus]
Shui Acorus
Rhizome flat cylindrical, rarely branched, 10 to 24 cm long, 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is off-white to brownish-red, with fine longitudinal striations; the internodes are 0.2 to 1.5 cm long, on the upper side there are sunken round dot-like root scars, and on the nodes remain brownish-red hairy fibers. The texture is hard, the fractured surface spongy, off-white or light brown; the transverse section shows an obvious endodermal ring, with many small cavities and vascular bundle dots. The odor is relatively strong and distinctive, and the taste is bitter and pungent.
Shi Acorus
The rhizome is flat cylindrical, slightly curved, often branched, 3 to 20 cm long, 0.3 to 1 cm in diameter. The surface is brownish, brownish-red or grayish-yellow, rough, with many nodes, the internodes 0.2 to 0.8 cm long, on the upper side are slightly flat-triangular leaf scars arranged alternately left and right, on the lower side are round dot-like root scars, and at the nodes there are sometimes remnants of hairy scale-like leaf bases. The texture is hard and brittle, the fractured surface fibrous, off-white or slightly red; the transverse section shows an obvious endodermal ring, and numerous vascular bundle dots and brown oil dots are visible. The odor is aromatic, and the taste is bitter and slightly pungent.
Besides wrapping zongzi and racing dragon boats, the Dragon Boat Festival also has some folk customs in various places. For example, on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, every household hangs Acorus and mugwort leaves on the main door, and in some places people also drink realgar wine; it is said that doing so can drive away ghosts and ward off evil. In some places in Quanzhou it is also popular to eat the five seeds: eggs, zongzi, garlic, scallions and duck. It is said that eating the five seeds on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival will bring good fortune.
Acorus (Shi Acorus, stone centipede)
Characteristics and uses: A perennial herbaceous plant, the whole plant has a fragrance. The leaves arise from the rhizome, linear, arranged in two rows, 30 to 50 cm long. The leaf bases have grooves and overlap each other. The flowers are very small, densely clustered into a corn-cob-like spadix, a berry. It likes to grow in swamps, ditch sides and lake sides. It is mostly produced in the provinces south of the Yangtze River. The whole plant is used as medicine, mainly treating enteritis, rotten gills and red-skin disease.
Method of use: To treat enteritis, rotten gills and red-skin disease, use 4 to 5 kg of chopped Acorus and 4 to 5 kg of castor leaves per mu of water surface, wrap them in about 10 kg of pine branches and leaves, tie into 2 to 3 bundles, place at the feeding ground and at the upwind water inlet, submerged in the water, turn once every day to let them rot, and at the same time feed white poplar leaves orally every day (1 to 1.5 kg per ten thousand fish fry) for 6 consecutive days. Or grind the medicinal powder into a pulp and splash it into the water. To treat water mold disease, use 1.3 to 2.5 kg of Acorus per mu of water surface, add 0.5 to 1 kg of table salt and 2 to 5 kg of human urine, and splash over the whole pond.