Iris anguifuga has the unique form of having only one bract. It is also similar in form to a slender spuriairis. When in growth, it has a short, thick rhizome, that is swollen and thicker at the top. It has the fibrous remains of last seasons growth leaves, similar to a bulb at the top. It has 3–5 linear, pointed, narrow, green leaves, between and wide. They have 3–6 parallel veins. It has a flowering stem of between tall. It has one terminal flower, between March and April. It has 1 lanceolate between long and wide, spathes. The spider-like flowers are in diameter, and have a slight fragrance. The flowers are violet or blue. It has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals, known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals, known as the 'standards'. The long and narrow falls are oblanceolate, long and wide, they are sometimes marked with brown or purple lines or dots on the edges and along the centre of the petal. The standards are also oblanceolate, but are long and wide. They also have purple or brown markings. It has violet style branches, long and wide. It has a 2.5 cm long pedicel, 3 cm long perianth tube, 2.5 cm long stamens and bright yellow anthers. After the iris has flowered, in May and June, it produces a :wikt:fusiform|fusiform seed capsule, which is three angled and has a long beak on the end. It is long and wide. Inside, are 4-5mm diameter globose seeds.
Biochemistry
As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes. This can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. It has a chromosome count: 2n=34, Mao & Xue, 1986.
Taxonomy
It is written as 单苞鸢尾 in Chinese script and known as dan bao yuan wei in China. It has the common name of Snake bane iris, or single-bract iris. The Latin specific epithetanguifuga means snake-bane or snake-chaser. It was first published and described by Y.T.Zhao and X.J.Xue in 'Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica' Vol.18 Issue 1 page56 in 1980. They placed the iris within 'Section Ophioiris', but Brian Mathew included it within Series Tenuifoliae. Later, chromosome counts, placed the iris within Series Tenuifoliae. It was verified by United States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research Service on 4 April 2003.
Iris anguifuga is not common in cultivation the UK or the USA. But has been in cultivation in China for centuries. It is hardy between USDA Zone 1 and Zone 6, but may survive in lower temperatures but has not been trialed. It prefers sandy, well drained soils. It is vigorous in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade, but with reduced flower growth. It is unique in its growth habit as a rhizomous iris, as it is dormant and leafless during most of the 'normal' growing season, then in late fall / autumn, it begins to grow new leaves and is evergreen through the winter and produces flowers in the spring and goes dormant again. In colder regions, it acts like a bulb, dormant through to the spring before emerging and producing leaves and flowers before disappearing in summer. When the iris, has finished flowering, most of the plant withers away, apart from a growth point, which is similar in form to a bulb. It is possible that this is the origin of all bulbous irises. It is one of the few known plants with seasonal bulbs and seasonal rhizomes. It needs to be kept dry during winter, needing the protection of bulb frames, it only needs water during the growing season. It will not tolerate being waterlogged. Resembles a skinny spuria iris, evergreen during winter, but dormant during summer and starts growing again in mid-autumn.
Propagation
It can be propagated by division or by seed growing, but it does not like being disturbed. So seed growing may be more successful.
Hybrids and cultivars
No variation has been observed and no cultivars have been selected.
Uses
It is cultivated in the western part of Hubei in China as a medicinal plant. The rhizome is ground into a paste and then can be applied to snakebites as a herbal remedy.
Culture
It is thought in China, that the iris has the ability to keep snakes from entering the garden. It grows all winter, keeping snakes out, but then goes dormant in the spring, allowing the snakes back into the garden. In the autumn, the iris re-appears and can stop the snakes again.
