View source for Biology:Iris confusa

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Iris confusa.jpg
|image_caption = An ''Iris confusa'' flower
|genus = Iris
|parent = Iris sect. Lophiris
|display_parents = 2
|species = confusa
|authority = Sealy
|synonyms = None known
|synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=Iris confusa Sealy is an accepted name |date= 23 March 2013 |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-321717 |publisher=theplantlist.org ([[Biology:The Plant List|The Plant List]])|access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref> 
}}

'''''Iris confusa''''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|n|ˈ|f|j|uː|s|ə}};<ref name=daves/> also known as the '''bamboo iris''' ({{zh|s=扁竹兰|t=扁竹蘭|p=Biǎn zhú lán}}) is a species of [[Biology:Iris (plant)|iris]]. It is also in the subgenus ''[[Biology:Iris subg. Limniris|Limniris]]'' and in the section ''Lophiris'' (crested irises). It is a rhizomatous [[Biology:Perennial plant|perennial plant]], native to Western China. It has flowers which range from white to a soft lavender or pale blue in colour, with orange-yellow crests and purple dots. The plant's broad, shiny leaves are attached to [[Biology:Bamboo|bamboo]]-like stems. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

==Description==
''Iris confusa'' is similar in form to ''[[Biology:Iris japonica|Iris japonica]]'' and ''[[Biology:Iris wattii|Iris wattii]]''. ''Iris confusa'' is larger than ''Iris japonica'' in all parts,<ref name=crested>{{cite web |title=Crested Irises |date=22 July 2012  |url=http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/CrestedIrises |publisher=pacificbulbsociety.org |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> with more attractive foliage.<ref name=Pavord>{{cite news |first=Anna |last=Pavord |title=How to win over your iris With sunshine and good drainage, you can grow bearded iris in the most unpromising of soils |date=1 June 1996 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/how-to-win-over-your-iris-1334845.html |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref> Compared to ''Iris wattii'', it is smaller and has smaller flowers.<ref name=herbs>{{cite web |title=Evansia Or Crested Irises |url=http://www.herbs2000.com/flowers/i_ievansia.htm |publisher=herbs2000.com |access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=signa>{{cite web |first=Sean |last=Zera |title=Iris confusa |date=8 December 2013 |url=http://www.signa.org/index.pl?Iris-confusa |publisher=signa.org (Species Iris Group of North America)  |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

''I. confusa'' has stout, creeping rhizomes.<ref name=efloras>{{cite web |title=FOC Vol. 24 Page 308 |url=http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200028161  |publisher=efloras.org (Flora of China) |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=Kam>{{cite journal |first1=Amy |last1=Eisenberg |first2=John |last2=Amato |first3=Dengtao |last3=(no surname) |title=Kam Guilzhouh nyim Guangxxih di Benxtux Wenchual nyim Zihyuanc dih Gonxliix (Kam Local Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Resource Management in Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces) |url=http://journals.sfu.ca/era/index.php/era/article/viewFile/230/198 |journal=Ethnobotany Journal |volume=7 |format=PDF |access-date=1 April 2015}}</ref> They are short and bamboo-like.<ref name=rickard>Simon Rickard {{Google books|i_IEegQ3HzYC|The New Ornamental Garden|page=164}}</ref><ref name=irisbotanique>{{cite web |title=Chapter II iris clump and other (part3) |url=http://irisbotanique.over-blog.com/article-chapitre-ii-iris-a-touffe-et-autre-partie3-106518511.html |publisher=irisbotanique.over-blog.com |access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref> It also has short stolons.<ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) {{Google books|CkxWrDqtWLQC|The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification (2011) |page=258}}</ref> On the upper side of the rhizome are various scars and the remains of last season's leaves.<ref name=efloras/> The plant has a creeping habit, eventually forming thick clumps.<ref name=british>British Iris Society (1997) {{Google books| pL6uPLo7l2gC |A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation|page=110}}</ref><ref name=whatplantwhere>Jenny Hendy and Annelise Evans (Editors){{Google books|XVIAAQAAQBAJ|RHS What Plant Where Encyclopedia|page=316 }}</ref><ref name=sfgate>{{cite web |first=Erle |last=Nickel |title=Bamboo iris lights up garden  |date=22 March 2013 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/pickoftheweek/article/Bamboo-iris-lights-up-garden-4377817.php |publisher=sfgate.com |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

This plant has 10 or more leaves that are grouped together as a fan-shape.<ref name=rickard/><ref name=cassidy>{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=George E.| last2=Linnegar | first2=Sidney | date=1987 |edition=Revised  | title= Growing Irises  |location=Bromley | publisher=Christopher Helm | isbn=0-88192-089-4}}</ref><ref name=perennials>{{cite book | first1=Roger | last1=Phillips | first2=Martyn | last2=Rix | title=Perennials Vol. 1 | page=186 | year=1991 | publisher=Pan Books Ltd. | isbn=9780330327749}}</ref><!-- also <ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=crested/><ref name=Kam/>-->

Unlike, most irises, the foliage is held at the top of the bamboo-like stems, rather than basally,<ref name=crested/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=stebbings>{{cite book |last=Stebbings |first=Geoff |year=1997|title=The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises |url=https://archive.org/details/gardenersguideto00steb|url-access=registration |location=Newton Abbot |publisher=David and Charles |isbn=0715305395 }}</ref> so it looks more like a palm.<ref name=Pavord/>
The sword-shaped,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=Kam/><ref name=gardenerstips>{{cite web |title=Growing Iris Confusa |date=27 May 2012 |url=http://gardenerstips.co.uk/blog/flowers/growing-iris-confusa/ |publisher=gardenerstips.co.uk |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref> or strap-shaped,<ref name=whatplantwhere/><ref name=sfgate/> leaves are yellowish-green,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=Kam/> to bright green,<ref name=rickard/> glossy on the upper side,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=ClaireAustin>{{cite book | first= Claire | last=Austin | title= Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia | publisher= Timber Press, Incorporated | isbn = 978-0881927306 | year = 2005 | ol = OL8176432M | page=<!-- 287 in diff edition-->}}</ref> and glaucous on the underside.<ref name=efloras/> They are lighter in colour than ''Iris japonica'' leaves,<ref name=british/> and are normally thought to be [[Biology:Evergreen|evergreen]].<ref name=british/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=daves>{{cite web |title=PlantFiles: Bamboo Iris |url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2242/#b |publisher=davesgarden.com |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><!-- also <ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=sfgate/><ref name=gardenerstips/>--> The leaves can grow to between {{convert|28|-|80|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|3|-|6|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=sfgate/><!-- also <ref name=british/><ref name=perennials/>--> They veins are not noticeable,<ref name=efloras/> and the leaves tend to flop over.<ref name=cassidy/>

It has flattened,<ref name=Kam/> (bamboo) cane-like stems,<ref name=Holly>Holly Kerr Forsyth (Editor) {{Google books|56GE6U2mCFUC|The Constant Gardener|page=111}}</ref> that can grow up to between {{convert|25|-|120|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall.<ref name=perennials/><ref name=pacific>{{cite web| title=Iris summary |date=14 April 2014 |url=http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Iris/Iris_Summary.pdf |publisher=pacificbulbsociety.org | access-date=23 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=senteurs>{{cite web |title=Iris confusa |url=http://www.senteursduquercy.com/iris-botanique/1435-iris-confusa.html |publisher=senteursduquercy.com |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><!-- also <ref name=signa/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=rickard/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=European/><ref name="british"/><ref name=whatplantwhere/><ref name=sfgate/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=daves/>--> It has 5–8 slender flower branches (or [[Biology:Pedicel (botany)|pedicel]]s) near top of the plant.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=European/><ref name=whatplantwhere/><!-- also <ref name=sfgate/><ref name=cassidy/>--> The stiff pedicels are 1.5–2&nbsp;cm long.<ref name=efloras/> The stems can lie along the ground (after flowering) and can eventually produce roots, creating larger clumps of this plant.<ref name=british/><ref name=gardenerstips/>

There are 4–6 spathes (leaves of the flower bud), which are generally membranous. They are 1.5&nbsp;cm wide.<ref name=efloras/>

The stems hold between 3 and 5 flowers,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/> in spring and early summer,<ref name=European/><ref name=british/><ref name=whatplantwhere/><!-- also <ref name=sfgate/><ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=senteurs/>--> between April and May.<ref name=herbs/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=gardenerstips/><!-- also <ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=ClaireAustin/>--> In the UK, it can flower in early spring, if the plant is protected from freezing.<ref name=stebbings/>
The flowers are short lived, but since one large plant can have as many as 75 flowers,<ref name=sfgate/> a continuous display can last for several weeks.<ref name=british/><ref name=stebbings/>

The flowers are {{convert|4|-|5.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} in diameter,<ref name=signa/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><!-- also <ref name=European/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=stebbings/>--> and come in shades of soft lavender,<ref name=signa/><ref name=rickard/><ref name=sfgate/><!-- also <ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=Holly/><ref name=senteurs/>--> to pale blue, to white.<ref name=Pavord/><ref name=Holly/><ref name=meadow>John Greenlee {{Google books|S8ABAQb6EzUC|The American Meadow Garden: Creating a Natural Alternative to the traditional lawn|page=116}}</ref><!-- also <ref name=crested/><ref name=herbs/><ref name=signa/><ref name=signa/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=Kam/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=European/><ref name=whatplantwhere/><ref name=sfgate/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=daves/>-->

''I. confusa'' has 2 sets of [[Biology:Tepal|tepal]]s, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals, known as the 'standards'.<ref name=ClaireAustin/> The falls are elliptical, have a rounded outer portion (retuse), and have a wide limb (section of the petal closest to the stem); they are {{convert|2|-|3|cm|0|abbr=on}} cm long and 1.5–2&nbsp;cm wide.<ref name=efloras/> On the fall is a yellow or yellow-orange ridge (or crest).<ref name=signa/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><!-- also <ref name=sfgate/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=pacific/>--> Surrounding the crest/ridge are orange-yellow,<ref name=Pavord/><ref name=signa/><ref name=efloras/><!-- also <ref name=british/><ref name=whatplantwhere/><ref name=sfgate/><ref name=gardenerstips/>--> or pale mauve,<ref name=Pavord/><ref name=british/> or purple spots.<ref name=signa/><ref name=whatplantwhere/><ref name=sfgate/><!-- also <ref name=perennials/><ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref name=pacific/>--> The standards are broadly lanceolate and have a rounded top (retuse). They are 2.5&nbsp;cm long and 1&nbsp;cm wide.<ref name=efloras/> Both sets of tepals have wavy or scalloped edges.<ref name=Pavord/><ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><!-- also <ref name=European/>-->

It has pale blue [[Biology:Style (botany)|style]] branches, 2&nbsp;cm long and 8mm wide, which have fringed lobes.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=European/>

The perianth tube is 1.5&nbsp;cm long, enclosing 1.5&nbsp;cm stamens, a 6mm ovary and yellow anthers.<ref name=efloras/>
The plant produces an ellipsoid seed capsule,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=Kam/><ref name=british/> between May and July,<ref name=efloras/> {{convert|2.5|-|3.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} cm long and 1–1.4&nbsp;cm wide, with 6 visible ribs.<ref name=efloras/> Inside the ripened capsule are D-shaped,<ref name=british/> dark brown seeds.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=Kam/>

===Genetics===
''I. confusa'' is diploid, with 15 pairs of chromosomes.<ref name=signa/><ref name=cytological>{{cite journal |last1=Huanling |first1=Shu |last2=Yen |first2=Chi |last3=Junlinag |first3=Yang |date=April 1992 |title=CYTOLOGICAL STUDY ON IRIS CONFUSA SEALY |url=http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-SCND199204008.htm |journal=Journal of Sichuan Agricultural University |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=cytogenetic>{{cite journal |last1= Yonghong  |first1=Zhou |last2=Bihua |first2=Wu |last3=Ji |first3=Yan |last4= Ruiwu |first4= Yang  |last5= Chunbang  |first5= Ding |last6=Li  |first6= Zhang  |date=2003 |title=Cytogenetic study on the interspecific hybrid between Iris japonica and Iris confusa (Irisaceae) |url=http://europepmc.org/abstract/CBA/364792 |journal=Acta Botanica Yunnanica |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=497–502 |access-date=1 April 2015}}</ref><!-- also <ref name=pacific/><ref name=american/>-->

In 2009, a study was carried out on ten ''Iris'' species from China, including ''Iris confusa'', ''[[Biology:Iris japonica|Iris japonica]]'' and ''[[Biology:Iris wattii|Iris wattii]]''. It was found that ''Iris japonica'' and ''Iris wattii'' were more closely related to each other than to ''Iris confusa''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yu |first1=Xiao-Fang |last2=Zhang |first2= Hai-Qing |last3=Yuan |first3=Ming |last4=Zhou |first4=Yong-Hong |date=2009 |title=Karyotype studies on ten Iris species (Iridaceae) from Sichuan, China  |url=http://www.caryologia.unifi.it/past_volumes/62_3/01-1574-(253-260)-VF.pdf |journal=Caryologia |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=253–260 |doi= 10.1080/00087114.2004.10589690|s2cid=83329044 |access-date= 23 March 2015|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Taxonomy==
It has the common name of 'bamboo iris'.<ref name=sfgate/><ref name=meadow/><ref name=rhs>{{cite web |title=Iris confusa |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/9403/Iris-confusa/Details |publisher=www.rhs.org.uk| access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=creative>{{cite web |first=Anna |last=Madeit |title=Iris confusa a.k.a. Bamboo Iris – one of my absolute Top Ten garden picks for spring! |date=10 May 2013 |url=https://thecreativeflux.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/iris-confusa-a-k-a-bamboo-iris-one-of-my-absolute-top-ten-garden-picks/ |publisher=thecreativeflux.wordpress.com |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

It is written as 扁竹兰 in [[Social:Chinese characters|Chinese script]],<ref name=efloras/> and known as ''bian zhu lan'' in [[Social:Pidgin|Pidgin]] in China.<ref name=efloras/> ''Bian zhu lan'' is translated into English as 'flat bamboo-orchid'.<ref name=grin>{{GRIN | accessdate=27 March 2015}}</ref>

The Latin [[Biology:Botanical name#Binary name|specific epithet]] ''confusa'' refers to ''confusus'' from – uncertain, easily mistake and mingle.<ref>Sue Gordon (Editor) {{Google books|6PBHQd-lPWYC| Horticulture – Plant Names Explained: Botanical Terms and Their Meaning|page=58}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Stearn |first=William |year=1972 |title=A Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names |location=London |publisher=Cassell |page=99 |isbn=0304937215 }}</ref>

In 1911, William Rickatson Dykes obtained seeds from Pere Ducloux, a French missionary (1864–1945),<ref>{{cite web |title=Ducloux, Père Francois |url=http://kiki.huh.harvard.edu/databases/botanist_search.php?botanistid=37575  |publisher=kiki.huh.harvard.edu |access-date=1 April 2015}}</ref> who had found specimens of the iris in Yunnan.<ref name=british/><ref name=american>{{cite web|title=(SPEC) Iris confusa Sealy | date=16 March 2015 |first=Alain |last=Franco |url=http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecConfusa |publisher=wiki.irises.org (American Iris Society) |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> Dykes later compared the plants he grew in 1915 with specimens in the [[Organization:Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|Kew Gardens]] Herbarium. Dykes thought they were similar to ''Iris wattii'', and so were a form of ''Iris wattii''.<ref name=herbs/><ref name=british/><ref name=american/>

Between 1924 and 1926, Otto Stapf of Kew re-examined the specimens and concluded that they were more similar to ''Iris japonica''. He died in 1933, without publishing his findings.<ref name=british/><ref name=american/>

In 1931, Major Lawrence Johnson found a specimen near Tengyeh, in Yunnan. It was looked at by Kew and realised to be a specimen of ''Iris wattii''.<ref name=british/><ref name=american/>

It was first published and described by Joseph Robert Sealy in ''The Gardeners' Chronicle'' in 1937.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=american/><ref name=ipni>{{cite web|title=Iridaceae Iris confusa Sealy |url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=438505-1 |publisher=ipni.org (International Plant Names Index) |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

It was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the [[Organization:Agricultural Research Service|Agricultural Research Service]] on 4 April 2003 and then updated on 2 December 2004.<ref name=grin/>

''Iris confusa'' is an accepted name by the RHS.<ref name=rhs/>

==Distribution and habitat==
It is [[Earth:Native plant|native]] to temperate regions of Asia.<ref name=grin/>

===Range===
It is found in China,<ref name=crested/><ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=pacific/><!-- also <ref name=rhs/>--> within the Chinese provinces, of Guangxi,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=grin/><!-- also <ref name=british/>--> Guizhou,<ref name=efloras/><ref name=grin/> Sichuan,<ref name=perennials/><ref name=grin/><ref name=ipni/><!-- also <ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=british/><ref name=cassidy/>--> and Yunnan.<ref name=herbs/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=grin/><!-- also <ref name=efloras/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=European/><ref name=british/><ref name=cassidy/><ref name=ipni/>-->

===Habitat===
It grows beside forests (and woods),<ref name=Kam/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><!-- also <ref name=efloras/><ref name=british/>--> in open groves,<ref name=Kam/> on hillside grasslands (and meadows),<ref name=Kam/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><!-- also <ref name=efloras/><ref name=british/>--> and in ditches.<ref name=efloras/><ref name=Kam/>
It can also be found growing on in the midst of rocks and scrub on sharp or steep slopes.<ref name=herbs/><ref name=perennials/>

They can be found at an altitude of {{convert|1600|-|2400|m}} above sea level.<ref name=efloras/>

==Cultivation==
It is [[Earth:Hardiness (plants)|hardy]] to between [[Organization:USDA|USDA]] Zone 9 – Zone 11.<ref name=daves/><ref name=senteurs/> It is thought hardy to −5 °C, it can be left outdoors in warm parts of the US, such as {{wipe|California}}.<ref name=perennials/> It is also hardy to European Zone H4.<ref name=European/> In Britain (and some parts of Europe),<ref name=irisbotanique/> it is classed as [[Earth:Hardiness (plants)|Tender]], so it can be grown in a pot and then over-winter in a cool greenhouse.<ref name=herbs/><ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=perennials/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><!-- also <ref name=british/>-->
In Australia, it can be grown beneath shrubs used as frost protection.<ref name=ClaireAustin/>

It can be grown in well-drained,<ref name=british/> light rich (containing humus) soils.<ref name=irisbotanique/> It can tolerate neutral or acidic soils (pH levels between 6.5–7.8).<ref name=sfgate/><ref name=daves/><ref name=senteurs/> It slightly prefers acidic soils (including peat banks).<ref name=Pavord/><ref name=stebbings/>

It can tolerate positions between full sun and partial shade.<ref name=sfgate/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=meadow/><!-- also <ref name=irisbotanique/>-->

It prefers sites out of strong winds due to the height of the plant and delicate flowers.<ref name=stebbings/>

It has average water needs during the growing season,<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=sfgate/><ref name=daves/> but wet or damp conditions during the winter may cause the root to rot.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

It can be grown in a mixed [[Biology:Herbaceous border|flower border]].<ref name=sfgate/><ref name=senteurs/> Due to its shallow roots, the iris prefers a mulch of peat, well-decayed leaf mould or similar.<ref name=british/> The mulch also helps with the frost protection as well.

It can be also grown in containers, in sheltered positions.<ref name=cassidy/><ref name=stebbings/> Such as a 30–35&nbsp;cm wide pot, which is well drained and filled with ericaceous soils.<ref name=Pavord/><ref name=british/>

It can be affected by slugs and snails.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=sfgate/>

In cultivation, the stems and dead leaves are removed after flowering to keep the plant tidy and help it for next year's growth.<ref name=british/><ref name=stebbings/><ref name=rbg>{{cite web |title=Plant Collections: SOUTHERN CHINA COLLECTION |url=http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne/attractions/plant-collections/southern-china-collection |publisher=rbg.vic.gov.au |access-date=1 April 2015 |archive-date=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423063858/http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne/attractions/plant-collections/southern-china-collection |url-status=dead }}</ref> Then the stems are removed to ground level.<ref name=british/>

It is found in specialised iris nurseries,<ref name=signa/> and plants can be seen growing within the temperate house at Kew.<ref name=gardenerstips/>

===Propagation===
It can also be propagated by division or by seed growing.<ref name=daves/><ref name=Journal>{{cite journal |last1=Bihua |first1=Wu |last2=Ji |first2=Yan |last3=Yonghong |first3=Zhou |last4=Wenxia |first4=Zuo |date=1998 |title=Inhibitory affects[''sic''] of seed coat on seed germination in Iris confusa and its hybrid |url=http://europepmc.org/abstract/CBA/310498 |journal=Journal of Sichuan Agricultural University |publisher=Triticeae Research Institute |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=337–340 |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

The division of the rhizomes should done after flowering,<ref name=british/> between September and November.<ref name=irisbotanique/>

It also can be propagated by [[Biology:Cutting (plant)|stem cutting]]s. If the cuttings are immersed in water for between 1–2 weeks, the roots will soon emerge and the new plant can be potted and prepared for the garden later.<ref name=british/><ref name=cassidy/> Better results are gained if the water contains lumps of charcoal.<ref name=cassidy/>

To propagate from seed, collect seed from the capsules, when ripe and sow the seeds in vented containers, within a cold frame or in unheated greenhouse.<ref name=daves/>

===Hybrids and cultivars===
It has several named cultivars, including:<ref name=american/>

*'Beccles'<ref name=american/>
*'Chengdu' (height 102&nbsp;cm, glossy rich green leaves,<ref name=chengdu>{{cite web |title=Iris evansia Crested Iris Chengdu |date=April 2013 |url=http://historiciris.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/iris-evansia-crested-iris-chengdu.html |publisher=historiciris.blogspot.co.uk |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>  bluish-lavender petals, with darker purple markings surrounding yellow and white blotches on the crests, in spring,<ref name=chengdu/> has a slight vanilla aroma)<ref name=sfgate/><ref name=chengdu/>
*'F1 Hybrid'<ref name=american/>
*'Martyn Rix' (height 85&nbsp;cm, has blue orchid-like flowers between May and July, shade tolerant)<ref name=gardenerstips/><ref name=ClaireAustin/><ref>{{cite web |title=Iris confusa Martyn Rix |url=http://www.cgf.net/plants.aspx?genus=IRIS |publisher=cgf.net |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref>
*'Nobody's Child'<ref name=american/>
*'Nova' (height 60&nbsp;cm, has pale blue and white flowers between May and June)<ref>{{cite web |title=Iris confusa Nova |url=http://www.cgf.net/plantdetails.aspx?id=7798 |publisher=cgf.net |access-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>
*'Wattii' (Dykes')<ref name=american/>

==Toxicity==
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 in susceptible individuals.<ref name=daves/>

==Uses==
''I. confusa'' is used within Yunnan as an ingredient in Chinese [[Medicine:Herbal medicine|herbal medicine]]s.<ref name=irisbotanique/><ref name=Holly/>

Within the province of Guangxi, the Kam people of 'Gaoxiu Village', use the leaves (of the iris) for healing broken bones and sprains. The leaves are macerated and applied as a [[Medicine:Poultice|poultice]], with a splint for supporting and immobilizing the affected area of the body. Plant healer, 'Yang Chang Jun' believes that ''Iris confusa'' is among the most valued medicinal plants for treating fractures and sprains.<ref name=Kam/>
A patent in China, was made for Iris confusa medicinal tea, (made from the blue flowers of the iris), which is thought to help patients with acute [[Medicine:Tonsillitis|tonsillitis]], acute laryngopharyngitis, acute [[Medicine:Bronchitis|bronchitis]], nephritis edema and [[Medicine:Urinary tract infection|urinary tract infection]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iris confusa seuluy health-care tea |url=http://www.google.com/patents/CN103749832A?cl=en  |access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Other sources==
*Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 69-71–78.
*Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5233256}}

[[Category:Iris (plant)|confusa]]

{{Sourceattribution|Iris confusa}}