Iris cariciformis Z. Z. Zhang & G. X. Zhang 2026, sp. nov.

Iris cariciformis Z. Z. Zhang & G. X. Zhang sp. nov. Fig. 2 Diagnosis. Morphologically similar to I. dabashanensis, but differs by the longer perianth tube (1.6–2.5 cm vs 0.2–0.5 cm) and ovoid capsules with a prominent beak (vs globose and beakless). Type. China • Shaanxi Province, Zhashui County, Liushugou, on the dry hillside; 326 m; 33°40'09.8"N 109°10'50.3"E; 30 March 2025 (fl); Z. Z. Zhang ZZZ-LSG- 001 (holotype: CSH!; isotypes: CSH!, NAS!). Description. Perennial tufted herb with persistent fibrous leaf remnants sheathing the base. Rhizomes slender, usually stoloniferous. Roots slender, much branched, with small root nodules. Leaves pale green, narrowly linear, 20–40 cm × 2–3 mm, with 1 or 2 veins. Flowering stems 10–15 cm tall, bearing 1–2 leaves; bracts 2 (rarely 3), green, narrowly lanceolate, 2.7–4.2 cm × ca. 4 mm. Flowers pale purple, 2.5–3 cm in diameter; pedicels slender, 1.7–2.5 cm long; perianth tube slender, 1.6–2.5 cm long; sepals pale purple, horizontal and recurved distally, broadly ovate, 1.8–2.3 cm × 6–9 mm, base narrowed and yellow, midvein creamy white with purple spots, entire, with 2 irregularly raised lateral ridges; petals slightly angled upward, suborbicular, 1.5–1.7 cm × ca. 7 mm, abruptly contracted into a claw at the basal quarter. Stamens creamy white, ca. 8 mm long; anthers linear, equal to filaments; ovary ca. 6 mm long; style branches ascending, ca. 1.3 cm × 4 mm, apex bifid with lobes ca. 4 mm long. Capsule ovoid with a prominent beak, 1.7–2 cm × ca. 1 cm. Seeds brown, 2–3 mm in diameter, with white appendages. Flowering April, fruiting May – June. Distribution and ecology. Iris cariciformis is distributed in the central Qinling Mountains (Zhashui County, Shaanxi Province, China), where it grows on mountain slopes and cliffs (Fig. 3). Etymology. The new species grows in clusters and has slender leaves, resembling plants of the Carex L. that inhabit the same environment, hence the specific epithet “ cariciformis ” was chosen. Preliminary conservation status. According to the Red List Categories and Criteria of IUCN (2024), the conservation status of I. cariciformis is preliminarily assessed as Least Concern (LC). This species meets the criteria for the LC category due to its relatively wide distribution, considerable population size, and intact population structure (including both seedlings and mature individuals).