Iris subg. Iris

Iris subg. Iris
Purple bearded iris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Iridoideae
Tribe: Irideae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: I. subg. Iris

Subgenus Iris is one subgenus of Iris, The genus was originally classified by Carl Linnaeus, but then further organised by Brian Mathew between 1981 and 1987.[1]

It has been divided into six sections; bearded irises (or pogon irises), Psammiris, Oncocylclus, Regelia, Hexapogon and Pseudoregelia.

Section bearded irises (or pogon irises)

This is the largest section of the subgenus. Most irises come from Southern or eastern Europe.[1] Note 'pogon' refers to the Greek word for beard.[2] It has several species of iris including;

Bearded iris hybrid 'Stepping Out'

It also includes thousands of ornamental plant hybrids, which have been divided into various height categories.[3]

Psammiris

This section of irises was first described by Spach. Irises from Russia and Northwest china. Mostly rhizomatous, and flowering in late spring.[1] Note psammos derives from the Greek word for sand.[2]

Iris humilis subsp. arenaria

Oncocylus

Iris atropurpurea from Israel

All irises are rhizomatous perennials. They also generally need rich soils that drain easy and are in full sun. Most also prefer a dry period after flowering.[5] Irises mostly from Turkey, Caucasus and Iran. The flowers usually only have one flower. Some of these species have been bred with bearded irises to create unique colours and markings.[1] Oncocyclus is a Greek word, with onco meaning mass, or bulk, and cyclus meaning circle.[6]

Regelia

Iris hoogiana

Mostly from the mountainous regions of Iran, Afghanistan and the Altai Mountains.[7] Most irises have a stem that has 2 flowers.[1] It was named in 1904 by Robert Lynch in his book 'The Book of The Iris' after Dr Regel.[8]

Hybrids of Regelia irises and Oncocyclus irises are known as 'Regelicyclous'.[9]

Hexapogon

Mostly from the desert area of Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan. Most irises have beards on the falls and standards.[1] Note 'hexa' refers to the number 6 and 'pogon' refers to the Greek word for beard.[2]

Pseudoregelia

Mostly from the mountainous regions of Eastern Asia. Most irises have flowers that have blothes or colour spots on.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p. 18. ISBN 0715305395.
  2. 1 2 3 Stearn, William (1972). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names. London: Cassell. p. 211. ISBN 0304937215.
  3. ↑ Morris, Jim (2011). "Bearded Iris Classifications". www.irises.org (American Iris Society). Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  4. ↑ British Iris Society A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation, p. 60, at Google Books
  5. ↑ Christopher Brickell RHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers, p. 521, at Google Books
  6. ↑ Saad, Layla; Khuri, Sawsan (4 August 2003). "Hanging in There by a Fall – The Oncocyclus Irises of Lebanon" (pdf). orbi.ulg.ac.be. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Cassidy, G.E.; Linnegar, S. (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. pp. 144–145. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
  8. ↑ "The book of the iris, by R. Irwin Lynch". www.biodiversitylibrary.org. p. 116. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Christopher Brickell RHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers, p. 610, at Google Books
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