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{{SPlantbox
 
{{SPlantbox
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|familia=Iridaceae
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|genus=Iris
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|taxo_author=L.
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|common_name=Iris
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|habit=bulbous
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|lifespan=perennial
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|exposure=sun
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|water=less when dormant
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|features=deciduous, flowers, naturalizes, foliage
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|flowers=red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, multicolored, pink, white, spotted
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
 
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
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|image=Iris 'Mary Todd'.jpg
 
|image_width=240
 
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|image_caption=Iris cultivar 'Mary Todd'
 
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'''''Iris''''' is a [[genus]] of between 200–300 [[species]] of [[flowering plant]]s with showy [[flower]]s. It takes its name from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word for a [[rainbow]], referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species.<ref name=Goldblatt2008>{{cite book |author=Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter |title=The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification |publisher=Timber Press |location=Portland, Oregon|pages=200–204 |year=2008|isbn=0-88192-897-6}}</ref> As well as being the scientific name, ''iris'' is also very widely used as a common name; for one thing, it refers to all ''Iris'' species, though some plants called thus belong to other closely related genera. In North America, a common name for irises is 'flags', while the plants of the [[subgenus]] ''[[Scorpiris]]'' are widely known as '[[Juno (plant)|juno]]s', particularly in [[horticulture]]. It is a popular garden flower in the United States.
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The genera ''[[Belamcanda]]'' (blackberry lily), ''[[Hermodactylus]]'' (snake's head iris), ''[[Neomarica]]'' (walking iris) and ''[[Pardanthopsis]]'' are sometimes included in ''Iris''.
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[[Image:Iris rhizome p1150371.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rhizome]]s of ornamental irises]]
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[[Image:Iris persica (Sowerby).jpg|thumb|left|''[[Iris persica]]'', a bulbous iris]]
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The genus is widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone. Their [[habitat]]s are considerably varied, ranging from cold and [[montane]] regions to the grassy slopes, meadowlands and [[riverbank]]s of [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and northern [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and across [[North America]].
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Irises are [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]]s, growing from creeping [[rhizome]]s (rhizomatous irises), or, in drier climates, from [[bulb]]s (bulbous irises). They have long, erect flowering [[Plant stem|stems]], which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3–10 basal, sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves.
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The [[inflorescence]]s are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed [[flower]]s. These grow on a [[Pedicel (botany)|pedicel]] or lack a [[footstalk]]. The three [[sepal]]s, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as "falls". They expand from their narrow base, which in some of the rhizomatous irises has a "beard" (a tuft of short upright extensions growing in its midline), into a broader expanded portion ("limb"), often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, [[petal]]s stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called "standards". Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards, but generally, limb and standards differ markedly in appearance. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the [[ovary (plants)|ovary]] (known as an [[Inferior_ovary#Inferior_ovary|inferior ovary]]). The [[flower|styles]] divide towards the apex into petaloid branches; this is significant in [[pollination]].
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The iris flower is of special interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating [[insect]]s. The shape of the flower and the position of the [[pollen]]-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect, which in probing the [[perianth]] for nectar, will first come in contact of perianth, then with the stigmatic stamens in one whorled surface which is borne on an ovary formed of three carpels. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorled underside of the stamens is beneath the over-arching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma; in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower will, in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma; in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.
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The iris fruit is a [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] which opens up in three parts to reveal the numerous seeds within. In some species, these bear an [[aril]].
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{{-}}
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==Types==
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Irises are extensively grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in [[garden|home]] and [[botanical garden]]s. [[Presby Memorial Iris Gardens]] in [[New Jersey]], for example, is a living iris museum with over 10,000 plants, while in [[Europe]] the most famous iris garden is arguably the [[Giardino dell'Iris]] in [[Florence]] ([[Italy]]) which every year hosts one of the most famous iris breeders' competitions in the world.
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The most commonly found garden iris is the bearded [[Iris germanica|German Iris]] (''I. germanica''), a [[hybrid (biology)|hybridogenic]] species, and its numerous [[cultivar]]s. Various wild forms and naturally occurring hybrids of the [[Sweet Iris]] (''I. pallida'') and the [[Hungarian Iris]] (''[[Iris variegata|I. variegata]]'') form the basis of most all modern hybrid bearded irises. Median forms of bearded iris (intermediate bearded, or IB; miniature tall bearded, or MTB; etc.) are derived from crosses between tall and dwarf varieties.
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The bearded irises are easy to cultivate and propagate, and have become very popular in gardens. They grow in any good free garden soil, the smaller and more delicate species needing only the aid of turf ingredients, either peat or loam, to keep it light and open in texture. The earliest to bloom are species like ''[[Iris junonia|I. junonia]]'' and ''[[Iris reichenbachii|I. reichenbachii]]'', which flower as early as February and March, followed by the dwarf forms of ''[[Iris pumila|I. pumila]]'' which blossom during March, April and May. During the latter month and the following one, most of the larger-growing "tall bearded" irises bloom, such as the German Iris and its [[variety (botany)|variety]] ''florentina'', Sweet Iris, Hungarian Iris, [[Lemon-yellow Iris]] (''[[Iris flavescens|I. flavescens]]''), ''[[Iris sambucina]]'', ''[[Iris amoena|I. amoena]]'', and their natural and horticultural hybrids such as those described under names like ''I. neglecta'' or ''I. squalens'' and best united unter ''[[Iris × lurida|I. × lurida]]''.
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The section ''Oncocyclus'' contains the cushion irises or royal irises, a group of plants noted for their large, strongly marked flowers. Between 30 and 60 species are classified in this section, depending on the authority. Compared with other irises the cushion varieties are scantily furnished with narrow sickle-shaped leaves and the flowers are usually borne singly on the stalks; they are often very dark and in some almost blackish. The cushion irises are somewhat fastidious growers, and to be successful with them they must be planted rather shallow in very gritty well-drained soil. They should not be disturbed in the autumn, and after the leaves have withered the roots should be protected from heavy rains until growth starts again naturally.
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The section ''Regelia'', closely allied to the cushion irises, includes several garden hybrids with species in section ''Oncocyclus'', known as ''Regelio-cyclus'' irises. They are best planted in September or October in warm sunny positions, the rhizomes being lifted the following July after the leaves have withered.
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A truly red bearded iris remains an unattained goal despite frequent hybridizing and selection. There are species and selections, most notably based on the beardless rhizomatous [[Copper Iris]] (''[[Iris fulva|I. fulva]]''), which have a relatively pure red color. However, getting this color into a modern bearded iris breed has proven very difficult, and thus, the vast majority of irises are in the purple and blue range of the color spectrum, with yellow and whitish breeds also quite frequent.
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Other beardless rhizomatous iris types commonly found in garden are the [[Siberian Iris]] (''I. sibirica'') and its hybrids, and the [[Japanese Iris]] (''[[Iris ensata|I. ensata]]'') and its hybrids. "[[Japanese iris]]" is also a catch-all term for the Japanese Iris proper (''hanashōbu''), the [[Blood Iris]] (''[[Iris sanguinea|I. sanguinea]], ayame'') and the [[Rabbitear Iris]] (''I. laevigata, kakitsubata''). ''[[Iris unguicularis|I. unguicularis]]'' is a late-winter-flowering species from [[Algeria]], with sky-blue flowers blotched with yellow, produced (in the Northern Hemisphere) from November to March or April. Yet another beardless rhizomatous iris popular in gardening is ''[[Iris ruthenica|I. ruthenica]]'', which has much the same requirements and characteristics as the "tall bearded" irises.
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Many of the smaller species of bulbous iris, being liable to perish from excess of moisture, should have a well-drained bed of good but porous soil made up for them, in some sunny spot, and in winter should be protected by a covering of half-decayed leaves or fresh cocos-fibre refuse. To this group belong the "reticulate" irises with their characteristic bulbs, including ''[[Iris danfordiae|I. danfordiae]]'', ''[[Iris histrioides|I. histrioides]]'', ''[[Iris reticulata|I. reticulata]]'' and others, as well as the smmoth-bulbed ''[[Iris filifolia|I. filifolia]]'', which flower as early as February and March
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==Cultivation==
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===Propagation===
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===Pests and diseases===
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==Varieties==
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In general, modern classifications usually recognise six subgenera, of which five are restricted to the [[Old World]]; the sixth (subgenus ''Limniris'') has a [[Holarctic]] distribution. The two largest subgenera are further divided into sections.
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===Subgenus ''[[Iris subg. Iris|Iris]]''===
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'''Bearded rhizomatous irises'''
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[[Image:Iris aphylla a1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stool Iris]] (''[[Iris aphylla]]'') flower. Note prominent white "beard".]]
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[[Image:Iris reichenbachii 02.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Iris reichenbachii]]'']]
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'''Section ''Iris'''''
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<div float="left">
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{{col-begin|width=70%}}
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{{col-1-of-2}}
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* ''[[Iris albertii]]''
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* ''[[Iris albicans]]'' &ndash; [[White Cemetery Iris]], White Flag Iris
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* ''[[Iris amoena]]'' <small>DC.</small> (= ''I. variegata''?)
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* ''[[Iris aphylla]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; [[Stool Iris]] (including ''I. benacensis''<!-- A.Kern. -->, ''I. nudicaulis''<!-- Reich. -->)
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* ''[[Iris attica]]'' <small>(Boiss. & Heldr.) Hayek</small>
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* ''[[Iris × buriensis]]'' <small>Lem.</small>
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* ''[[Iris croatica]]''
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* ''[[Iris cypriana]]'' <small>Foster & Baker</small>
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* ''[[Iris flavescens]]'' <small>Delile</small><!-- non Kummer & Sendtner non DC --> &ndash; [[Lemon-yellow Iris]] (= ''I. variegata''?)
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* ''[[Iris furcata]]'' <small>Bieb.</small>
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* ''[[Iris germanica]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; German Iris (includes ''I. × barbata'')
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**  ''Iris × germanica'' nothovar. ''florentina'' <small>Dykes</small>
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* ''[[Iris glaucescens]]'' <small>Bunge</small>
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* ''[[Iris glockiana]]'' <small>O.Schwarz</small>
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* ''[[Iris illyrica]]'' (often included in ''I. pallida'')
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* ''[[Iris imbricata]]'' <small>Lindl.</small>
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* ''[[Iris junonia]]'' <small>Schott ex Kotschy</small>
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* ''[[Iris × lurida]]'' <small>Aiton</small> (''I. pallida × I. variegata'', including ''I. neglecta''<!-- Hernem -->, ''I. squalens'')
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{{col-2-of-2}}
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* ''[[Iris lutescens]]'' <small>Lam.</small> (including ''I. italica''<!-- Parl. -->)
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* ''[[Iris marsica]]'' <small>I.Ricci & Colas.</small>
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* ''[[Iris mesopotamica]]'' &ndash; [[Mesopotamian Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris orjenii]]'' &ndash; [[Orjen Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris pallida]]'' &ndash; [[Sweet Iris]], Dalmatian Iris
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* ''[[Iris perrieri]]'' <small>Simonet ex P.Fourn.</small>
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* ''[[Iris pseudopumila]]'' <small>Tineo</small><!-- non Janka, that is I. pumila -->
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* ''[[Iris pumila]]'' <small>L.</small>
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* ''[[Iris purpureobractea]]'' <small>B.Mathew & T.Baytop</small>
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* ''[[Iris reichenbachii]]'' <small>Heuff.</small> &ndash; [[Reichenbach's Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris sambucina]]'' <small>L.</small>
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* ''[[Iris scariosa]]'' <small>Willd. ex Link</small>
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* ''[[Iris schachtii]]'' <small>Markgr.</small>
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* ''[[Iris suaveolens]]'' <small>Boiss. & Reut.</small> (including ''I. iliensis''<!-- Poljakov -->)
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* ''[[Iris subbiflora]]'' <small>Brot.</small>
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* ''[[Iris taochia]]'' <small>Woronow ex Grossh.</small>
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* ''[[Iris timofejewii]]'' <small>Woronow</small>
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* ''[[Iris variegata]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; [[Hungarian Iris]]
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{{col-end}}
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</div>
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[[Image:תמונה 850.jpg|thumb|right|[[Nazareth Iris]], ''[[Iris bismarckiana]]'']]
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[[Image:Iris humilis subsp arenaria.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Iris humilis]]'' ssp. ''arenaria'']]
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<div float="left">
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{{col-begin|width=70%}}
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{{col-1-of-2}}
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'''Section ''Oncocyclus'''''
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* ''[[Iris acutiloba]]'' <small>C.A.Mey.</small> (including ''I. ewbankiana''<!-- Foster -->)
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* ''[[Iris assadiana]]'' <small>Chaudhary, Kirkw. & C.Weymolauth</small>
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* ''[[Iris atrofusca]]'' <small>Bak.</small>
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* ''[[Iris atropurpurea]]'' <small>Bak.</small>
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* ''[[Iris barnumae]]'' <small>Bak. & Fost.</small>
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* ''[[Iris bismarckiana]]'' <small>Reg.</small> &ndash; [[Nazareth Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris camillae]]'' <small>Grossh.</small>
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* ''[[Iris gatesii]]'' <small>Foster</small>
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* ''[[Iris haynei]]'' <small>(Bak.) Mallet.</small> &ndash; [[Gilboa Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris hermona]]'' <small>Dinsmore</small> &ndash; [[Hermon Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris iberica]]'' <small>Hoffm.</small>
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* ''[[Iris kirkwoodi]]'' (including ''I. calcarea''<!-- Dinsm. -->)
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* ''[[Iris lortetii]]'' <small>Barbey ex Boiss.</small>
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* ''[[Iris mariae]]'' <small>Barbey.</small>
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* ''[[Iris meda]]'' <small>Stapf</small>
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* ''[[Iris paradoxa]]'' <small>Steven</small>
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* ''[[Iris petrana]]'' <small>Dinsm.</small>
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* ''[[Iris polakii]]'' <small>Stapf</small>
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* ''[[Iris sari]]'' <small>Schott ex Bak.</small>
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* ''[[Iris sofarana]]'' <small>Fost.</small>
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* ''[[Iris susiana]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; [[Mourning Iris]]
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{{col-2-of-2}}
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'''Section ''Hexapogon'''''
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* ''[[Iris falcifolia]]'' <small>Bunge</small>
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* ''[[Iris longiscapa]]'' <small>Ledeb.</small>
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'''Section ''Psammiris'''''
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* ''[[Iris bloudowii]]'' <small>Ledeb.</small><!-- CurtisBotMag24:30. -->
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* ''[[Iris humilis]]'' <small>Georgi</small>
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* ''[[Iris kamelinii]]'' <small>Alexeeva</small>
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* ''[[Iris mandschurica]]'' <small>Maxim.</small><!-- "mandshurica" is lapsus -->
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* ''[[Iris potaninii]]'' <small>Maxim.</small>
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* ''[[Iris vorobievii]]'' <small>N.S.Pavlova</small>
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'''Section ''Pseudoregelia'''''
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* ''[[Iris goniocarpa]]'' <small>Bak.</small>
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* ''[[Iris hookeriana]]'' <small>Fost.</small>
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* ''[[Iris kamaonensis]]'' <small>Wall.</small>
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* ''[[Iris sikkimensis]]'' <small>Dykes</small>
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* ''[[Iris tigrida]]'' <small>Bunge ex Ledeb.</small>
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'''Section ''Regelia'''''
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* ''[[Iris hoogiana]]'' <small>Dykes</small>
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* ''[[Iris korolkowii]]'' <small>Regel</small>
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* ''[[Iris stolonifera]]'' <small>Maxim.</small>
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{{col-end}}
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</div>
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===Subgenus ''[[Iris subg. Limniris|Limniris]]''===
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'''Beardless rhizomatous irises'''
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'''Section ''Limniris'''''
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[[Image:Iris ensata cv kumoinogan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Japanese Iris]] (''[[Iris ensata]]'') or ''[[Japanese iris#Hanashōbu|hanashōbu]]'', cv. 'Kumoinogan']]
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[[Image:Iris Iris graminea Flower 2263px.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Iris graminea]]'']]
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[[Image:Iris orientalis 2007-05-13 356.jpg|thumb|right|[[Yellow-banded Iris]], ''[[Iris orientalis]]'']]
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[[Image:Iris sanguinea 2007-05-13 358.jpg|thumb|right|[[Blood Iris]] (''[[Iris sanguinea]]'') or ''[[Japanese iris#Ayame|ayame]]'']]
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<div float="left">
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{{col-begin|width=70%}}
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{{col-1-of-2}}
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* ''[[Iris acoroides]]'' <small>Spach</small>
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* ''[[Iris bracteata]]'' &ndash; [[Siskiyou Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris brevicaulis]]'' <small>Raf.</small> &ndash; [[Zigzag Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris bulleyana]]'' <small>Dykes</small>
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* ''[[Iris caespitosa]]'' <small>Pall. & Link</small>
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* ''[[Iris chrysographes]]'' &ndash; [[Black Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris chrysophylla]]'' &ndash; [[Yellow-leaved Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris clarkei]]'' <small>Bak.</small>
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* ''[[Iris crocea]]'' <small>Jacquem. ex R.C.Foster</small> (including ''I. aurea''<!-- Lindl. -->)
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* ''[[Iris delavayi]]'' <small>Micheli</small>
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* ''[[Iris demetrii]]'' <small>Achv. & Mirzoeva</small>
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* ''[[Iris douglasiana]]'' &ndash; [[Douglas Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris ensata]]'' <small>Thunb.</small> &ndash; [[Japanese Iris]], ''[[Japanese iris#Hanashōbu|hanashōbu]]'' ([[Japanese (language)|Japanese]]) (including ''I. kaempferi'')
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* ''[[Iris fernaldii]]'' &ndash; [[Fernald's Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris foetidissima]]'' &ndash; [[Stinking Iris]], Gladwin Iris, Stinking Gladwin, Gladdon, Roast-beef Plant
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* ''[[Iris forrestii]]'' <small>Dykes</small>
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* ''[[Iris fulva]]'' <small>Ker-Gawl.</small> &ndash; [[Copper Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris giganticaerulea]]'' &ndash; [[Giant Blue Iris]], Giant Blue Flag
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* ''[[Iris graminea]]'' <small>L.</small>
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* ''[[Iris grant-duffii]]'' <small>Bak.</small>
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* ''[[Iris hartwegii]]'' &ndash; [[Hartweg's Iris]], Rainbow Iris, Sierra Iris
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* ''[[Iris hexagona]]'' <small>Walt.</small> &ndash; [[Dixie Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris hookeri]]'' <small>Penny</small> &ndash; [[Hooker's Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris innominata]]'' &ndash; [[Del Norte Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris kerneriana]]'' <small>Asch. & Sint.</small>
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* ''[[Iris koreana]]'' <small>Nakai</small>
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* ''[[Iris lactea]]'' <small>Pall.</small>
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* ''[[Iris laevigata]]'' &ndash; [[Rabbitear Iris]], Shallow-flowered Iris, ''[[Japanese iris#Kakitsubata|kakitsubata]]'' (Japanese)
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* ''[[Iris lazica]]'' <small>Albov</small>
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* ''[[Iris loczyi]]'' <small>Kanitz</small>
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* ''[[Iris longipetala]]'' <small>Herb.</small>
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* ''[[Iris lorea]]'' <small>Jank.</small>
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* ''[[Iris ludwigii]]'' <small>Maxim.</small>
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* ''[[Iris maackii]]'' <small>Maxim.</small>
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* ''[[Iris macrosiphon]]'' &ndash; [[Bowltube Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris missouriensis]]'' &ndash; [[Rocky Mountain Iris]], Western Blue Flag
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{{col-2-of-2}}
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* ''[[Iris monnieri]]'' <small>DC.</small>
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* ''[[Iris munzii]]'' &ndash; [[Munz's Iris]], Tulare Lavender Iris
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* ''[[Iris nelsonii]]'' <small>Randolph</small> &ndash; [[Abbeville Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris notha]]'' <small>M.Bieb.</small>
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* ''[[Iris orientalis]]'' <small>Mill.</small> &ndash; [[Yellow-banded Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris pontica]]'' <small>Zapal.</small>
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* ''[[Iris prismatica]]'' <small>Pursh ex Ker-Gawl.</small> &ndash; [[Slender Blue Flag]]
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* ''[[Iris pseudacorus]]'' &ndash; [[Yellow Iris]], Yellow Flag
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* ''[[Iris purdyi]]'' &ndash; [[Purdy's Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris × robusta]]'' <small>E.Anders.</small> &ndash; [[Robust Iris]] (''I. versicolor × I. virginica'')
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* ''[[Iris ruthenica]]'' <small>Ker-Gawl.</small>
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* ''[[Iris × sancti-cyri]]'' <small>Rouss.</small> &ndash; [[Sanctimonious Iris]]{{Verify source|date=December 2008}}<!-- St. Cyr's Iris? "sancti-cyrii" is probably lapsus --> (''I. hookeri × I. versicolor'')
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* ''[[Iris sanguinea]]'' <small>Hornem. ex Donn</small> &ndash; [[Blood Iris]], ''[[Japanese iris#Ayame|ayame]]'' (Japanese)
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* ''[[Iris setosa]]'' <small>Pallas ex Link</small> &ndash; [[Beachhead Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris sibirica]]'' &ndash; [[Siberian Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris sintenisii]]'' <small>Janka</small>
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** ''Iris sintenisii'' ssp. ''brandzae'' <small>Prodan</small>
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* ''[[Iris songarica]]'' <small>Schrenk</small>
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* ''[[Iris spuria]]'' &ndash; [[Blue Iris]]
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** ''Iris spuria'' ssp. ''maritima'' &ndash; Seashore Iris
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* ''[[Iris tenax]]'' &ndash; [[Tough-leaved Iris]], Oregon Iris
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* ''[[Iris tenuifolia]]'' <small>Pall.</small>
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* ''[[Iris tenuissima]]'' <small>Dykes</small> &ndash; [[Long-tubed Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris thompsonii]]'' <small>R.C.Foster</small> &ndash; [[Thompson's Iris]] (formerly in ''I. innominata'')
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* ''[[Iris tridentata]]'' <small>Pursh</small> &ndash; [[Savanna Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris unguicularis]]'' <small>Poir.</small> (including ''I. speciosa''<!-- Terracino -->, ''I. stylosa'')
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* ''[[Iris uniflora]]'' <small>Pall.</small>
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* ''[[Iris ventricosa]]'' <small>Pall.</small>
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* ''[[Iris verna]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; [[Dwarf Violet Iris]]
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* ''[[Iris versicolor]]'' &ndash; [[Larger Blue Flag]], Harlequin Blueflag
 +
* ''[[Iris × vinicolor]]'' <small>Small</small> &ndash; [[Vinicolor Iris]], [[Wine-coloured Iris]] (''I. fulva × I. giganticaerulea'')
 +
* ''[[Iris virginica]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; [[Virginia Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris wilsonii]]'' <small>C.H.Wright</small>
 +
{{col-end}}
 +
</div>
 +
[[Image:Iris wattii 4.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Iris wattii]]'']]
 +
 +
'''Section ''Lophiris'''''
 +
* ''[[Iris confusa]]'' &ndash; [[Bamboo Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris cristata]]'' &ndash; [[Crested Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris gracilipes]]'' <small>A.Gray</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris japonica]]'' <small>Thunb.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris lacustris]]'' &ndash; [[Dwarf Lake Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris milesii]]'' <small>Foster</small> [[File:Iris milesii I IMG 6615.jpg|thumb|''[[Iris milesii]]'' ]]
 +
* ''[[Iris tectorum]]'' <small>Maxim.</small> &ndash; [[Wall Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris tenuis]]'' <small>S.Wats.</small> &ndash; [[Clackamas Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris wattii]]'' <small>Baker ex Hook.f.</small>
 +
 +
===Subgenus ''[[Iris subg. Xiphium|Xiphium]]''===
 +
'''Smooth-bulbed bulbous irises'''. Formerly genus ''Xiphion''.
 +
[[Image:Iris lusitanica 01.jpg|thumb|right|Yellow [[Spanish Iris]], ''[[Iris xiphium]]'' var. ''lusitanica'']]
 +
'''Section ''Xiphium'''''
 +
* ''[[Iris boissieri]]'' <small>Henriq</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris filifolia]]'' <small>Boiss.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris juncea]]'' <small>Poir.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris latifolia]]'' &ndash; [[English Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris serotina]]'' <small>Willk. in Willk. & Lange</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris tingitana]]'' <small>Boiss. & Reut.</small> &ndash; [[Morocco Iris]]
 +
* ''[[Iris xiphium]]'' &ndash; [[Spanish Iris]], Dutch Iris, Small Bulbous-rooted Iris
 +
 +
===Subgenus ''[[Iris subg. Nepalensis|Nepalensis]]''===
 +
'''Bulbous irises.''' Formerly genus ''Junopsis''.
 +
 +
'''Section ''Nepalensis'''''
 +
* ''[[Iris collettii]]'' <small>Hook.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris decora]]'' <small>Wall.</small>
 +
 +
===Subgenus ''[[Iris subg. Scorpiris|Scorpiris]]''===
 +
'''Smooth-bulbed bulbous irises known as "junos".''' Formerly genus ''Juno''.
 +
[[Image:Iris palaestina 1.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Iris palaestina]]'']]
 +
'''Section ''Scorpiris'''''
 +
<div float="left">
 +
{{col-begin|width=70%}}
 +
{{col-1-of-2}}
 +
* ''[[Iris albomarginata]]'' <small>R.C.Foster</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris aucheri]]'' <small>(Baker) Sealy</small> (including ''I. sindjarensis''<!-- Boiss. & Hausskn. -->)
 +
* ''[[Iris bucharica]]'' <small>Foster</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris caucasica]]'' <small>Hoffm.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris cycloglossa]]'' <small>Wendelbo</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris fosteriana]]'' <small>Aitch. & Baker</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris graeberiana]]'' <small>Tubergen ex Sealy</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris magnifica]]'' <small>Vved.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris narynensis]]'' <small>O.Fedtsch.</small><!-- CurtisBotMag24:34. -->
 +
{{col-2-of-2}}
 +
* ''[[Iris nusairiensis]]'' <small>Monterode</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris palaestina]]'' <small>(Bak.) Boiss.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris persica]]'' <small>L.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris planifolia]]'' <small>(Mill.) Fiori & Paol.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris pseudocaucasica]]'' <small>Grossh.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris regis-uzziae]]'' <small>Feinbrun</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris rosenbachiana]]'' <small>Reg.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris vicaria]]'' <small>Vved.</small>
 +
{{col-end}}
 +
</div>
 +
 +
===Subgenus ''[[Iris subg. Hermodactyloides|Hermodactyloides]]''===
 +
[[Image:Iris reticulata.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Iris reticulata]]'']]
 +
'''Reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises.''' Formerly genus ''Iridodictyum''.
 +
 +
'''Section ''Hermodactyloides'''''
 +
* ''[[Iris bakeriana]]'' <small>Foster</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris danfordiae]]'' <small>(Baker) Boiss.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris histrio]]'' <small>Rchb.f.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris histrioides]]'' <small>(G.F.Wilson) S.Arn.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris kolpakowskiana]]'' <small>Regel</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris pamphylica]]'' <small>Hedge</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris reticulata]]'' <small>Bieb.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris vartanii]]'' <small>Fost.</small>
 +
* ''[[Iris winogradowii]]'' <small>Fomin</small>
 +
 +
==Gallery==
 +
 +
<gallery perrow=5>
 +
Image:Bombay Sapphire by ny156uk.jpg|Bombay Sapphire gin contains flavoring derived from particular bearded iris species
 +
Image:Iris pseudoacorus flowering.jpg|Flowering [[Yellow Iris]] (''Iris pseudacorus'') at a water treatment pond
 +
Image:Giradino dell'iris 2.JPG|[[Giardino dell'Iris]] in [[Florence]]
 +
Image:Iris 'Mary Todd'.jpg|The bearded iris cultivar 'Mary Todd'
 +
Image:Iris 'Samurai Warrior'1.jpg|Chestnut cultivars like 'Samurai Warrior' are the closest breeder have been able to get to a "red" bearded iris
 +
Image:Iris atropurpurea Netanya A.jpg|''[[Iris atropurpurea]]'', one of the dark-flowered ''Oncocyclus'' bearded irises
 +
Image:Iris unguicularis 170208.jpg|''[[Iris unguicularis]]'' flower
 +
Image:Iris Katharine Hodginkin220303.jpg|'Katharine Hodginkin', a bulbous iris cultivar, a hybrid between I. winogradowii and I. histrioides 'Major'.
 +
Image:Irisflower.jpg|''[[Iris kemaonensis]]'' in [[Himalaya]]
 +
File:Aa irises at gauntlet.jpg|Iris pseudacorus in [[Cheshire]] in England
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture==
 
{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
 
Iris Greek, rainbow). Iridaceae. Plates LVIII, LIX. Showy and interesting flowers for outdoor bloom, widely known and planted; perennials with rhizomes or bulb-like root-stocks, mostly narrow long leaves, and commonly erect habit; includes the blue flag and fleur-de-lis.
 
Iris Greek, rainbow). Iridaceae. Plates LVIII, LIX. Showy and interesting flowers for outdoor bloom, widely known and planted; perennials with rhizomes or bulb-like root-stocks, mostly narrow long leaves, and commonly erect habit; includes the blue flag and fleur-de-lis.
Line 130: Line 457:     
Index.
 
Index.
 +
 
acoroies, 73.
 
acoroies, 73.
 
acuta, 65.
 
acuta, 65.
Line 346: Line 674:  
xiphioides, 100.
 
xiphioides, 100.
 
xiphium, 99, 104.
 
xiphium, 99, 104.
  −
  −
  −
  −
   
}}
 
}}
  −
{{Taxobox
  −
| color = lightgreen
  −
| name = ''Iris''
  −
| image = Mountain_iris.jpg
  −
| image_width = 240px
  −
| image_caption = ''Iris of Costa Rica, Elevation 9000 ft.''
  −
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
  −
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
  −
| classis = [[monocotyledon|Liliopsida]]
  −
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
  −
| familia = [[Iridaceae]]
  −
| genus = '''''Iris'''''
  −
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
  −
| subdivision_ranks = Species
  −
| subdivision = See text
  −
}}
  −
'''''Iris''''' is a [[genus]] of between 200-300 species of [[flowering plant]]s with showy [[flower]]s which takes its name from the Greek word for a [[rainbow]], referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name and refers to all ''Iris'' species as well as some closely related genera. It is the state flower of Tennessee.
  −
  −
== Description ==
  −
The genus is widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone. Their habitats are considerably varied, ranging from cold regions into the grassy slopes, meadowlands, stream banks of [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and northern [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and across [[North America]].
  −
  −
They are [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]]s, growing from creeping [[rhizome]]s (rhizomatous irises), or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). They have long, erect, flowering [[Plant stem|stems]], which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3-10 basal, sword-shaped [[leaf|leaves]] growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical basal leaves.
  −
  −
The [[inflorescence]]s are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical, six-lobed [[flower]]s. These grow on a [[Pedicel (botany)|pedicel]] or lack a [[footstalk]]. The three [[sepal]]s, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as falls. They expand from their narrow base into a broader limb (= expanded portion), often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, [[petal]]s stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called standards. Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards. The sepals and the petals differ from each other. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the [[ovary (plants)|ovary]]. The [[flower|styles]] divide towards the apex into petaloid branches (see pollination, below).
  −
  −
The iris flower is of special interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and [[pollination|pollinating]] [[insect]]s. The shape of the flower and the position of the [[pollen]]-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect, which in probing the [[perianth]] for nectar, will first come in contact of perianth, three with the stigmatic stamens in one whorl surface which is borne and an ovary formed of three carpels. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorl under side of the stamens, which is beneath the over-arching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma, while in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower, will in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma, while in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.
  −
  −
==Classification and taxonomy==
  −
[[Image:Iris pseudacorus 01.jpg|thumb|''Iris pseudacorus'']]
  −
[[Image:Iris rhizome p1150371.jpg|thumb|Rhizomes of ornamental irises]]
  −
[[Image:Aa irises at gauntlet.jpg|thumb|Irises in [[Cheshire]] in [[England]], 22 May 2007]]
  −
[[Image:Iris_(plant).jpg|thumb|Irises in [[Winchester]] in [[England]], 23 May 2007]]
  −
[[Image:Blue Australian Iris.jpg|thumb|180px|Photo of a [[blue]] Iris in [[Sydney, Australia]]]]
  −
Up to 300 species have been placed in the genus ''Iris''. Modern classifications, starting with W. R. Dykes' 1913 book, have subdivided them. Dykes referred to the major subgroupings as sections, but later authors have generally called them subgenera, while essentially retaining his groupings.  Like some older sources, the influential classification by G. I. Rodionenko removed some groups (particularly the bulbous irises) to separate genera, but even if this is done the genus remains large and several subgenera, sections and/or subsections are recognised within it.
  −
  −
There are six subgenera, of which five are restricted to the [[Old World]], and the sixth (subgenus ''Limniris'') with a [[Holarctic]] distribution; the two largest subgenera are further divided into sections.
  −
;[[Iris subgenus Iris|''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'']]: bearded irises, growing from rhizomes.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Iris''
  −
**''[[Iris albertii]]'' Regel
  −
**''[[Iris albicans]]'' Lange
  −
**''[[Iris aphylla]]'' L. – Stool Iris
  −
**''[[Iris attica]]'' (Boiss. & Heldr.) Hayek
  −
**''[[Iris cypriana]]'' Foster & Baker
  −
**''[[Iris germanica]]'' L. – [[German Iris]]
  −
**''[[Iris imbricata]]'' Lindl.
  −
**''[[Iris lutescens]]'' Lam. – Crimean Iris
  −
**''[[Iris marsica]]'' I.Ricci & Colas.
  −
**''[[Iris mesopotamica]]'' – Mesopotamian Iris
  −
**''[[Iris orjenii]]'' Bräuchler & Cikovac – Orjen Iris
  −
**''[[Iris pallida]]'' Lam. – Sweet Iris
  −
**''[[Iris pumila]]'' L.
  −
**''[[Iris reichenbachii]]'' Heuff.
  −
**''[[Iris sambucina]]'' L.
  −
**''[[Iris scariosa]]'' Willd. ex Link
  −
**''[[Iris schachtii]]'' Markgr.
  −
**''[[Iris suaveolens]]'' Boiss. & Reut.
  −
**''[[Iris subbiflora]]'' Brot.
  −
**''[[Iris taochia]]'' Woronow ex Grossh.
  −
**''[[Iris variegata]]'' L. – Hungarian Iris
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Oncocyclus''
  −
**''[[Iris acutiloba]]'' C.A.Mey.
  −
**''[[Iris assadiana]]'' Chaudhary, Kirkw. & C. Weymolauth
  −
**''[[Iris atrofusca]]'' Bak.
  −
**''[[Iris atropurpurea]]'' Bak.
  −
**''[[Iris barnumae]]'' Bak. & Fost.
  −
**''[[Iris bismarckiana]]'' Reg.
  −
**''[[Iris camillae]]'' Grossh.
  −
**''[[Iris gatesii]]'' Foster
  −
**''[[Iris haynei]]'' (Bak.) Mallet.
  −
**''[[Iris iberica]]'' Hoffm.
  −
**''[[Iris lortetii]]'' Barbey ex Boiss.
  −
**''[[Iris mariae]]'' Barbey.
  −
**''[[Iris meda]]'' Stapf
  −
**''[[Iris paradoxa]]'' Steven
  −
**''[[Iris petrana]]'' Dinsm.
  −
**''[[Iris sari]]'' Schott ex Bak.
  −
**''[[Iris sofarana]]'' Fost.
  −
**''[[Iris susiana]]'' L. – Mourning Iris
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Psammiris''
  −
**''[[Iris bloudowii]]'' Ledeb.
  −
**''[[Iris humilis]]'' Georgi
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Hexapogon''
  −
**''[[Iris falcifolia]]'' Bunge
  −
**''[[Iris longiscapa]]'' Ledeb.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Pseudoregelia''
  −
**''[[Iris goniocarpa]]'' Bak.
  −
**''[[Iris hookeriana]]'' Fost.
  −
**''[[Iris kamaonensis]]'' Wall.
  −
**''[[Iris tigrida]]'' Bunge ex Ledeb.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Regelia''
  −
**''[[Iris hoogiana]]'' Dykes
  −
**''[[Iris korolkowii]]'' Regel
  −
**''[[Iris stolonifera]]'' Maxim.
  −
  −
;[[Limniris|''Iris'' subgenus ''Limniris'']]: beardless irises, growing from rhizomes.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Limniris'' sect. ''Limniris''
  −
**''[[Iris bracteata]]'' S.Wats. – Siskiyou Iris
  −
**''[[Iris brevicaulis]]'' Raf. – Zigzag Iris
  −
**''[[Iris bulleyana]]'' Dykes
  −
**''[[Iris caespitosa]]'' Pall. & Link
  −
**''[[Iris chrysographes]]'' Dykes
  −
**''[[Iris chrysophylla]]'' T.J.Howell – Yellowleaf Iris
  −
**''[[Iris clarkei]]'' Bak.
  −
**''[[Iris crocea]]'' Jacquem. ex R.C.Foster
  −
**''[[Iris delavayi]]'' Micheli
  −
**''[[Iris douglasiana]]'' Herbert – Douglas Iris
  −
**''[[Iris ensata]]'' Thunb. – Russian Iris
  −
**''[[Iris fernaldii]]'' R.C.Foster – Fernald's Iris
  −
**''[[Iris foetidissima]]'' L. – Stinking Iris, Stinking Gladwin, Gladwin Iris
  −
**''[[Iris forrestii]]'' Dykes
  −
**''[[Iris fulva]]'' Ker-Gawl. – Copper Iris
  −
**''[[Iris giganticaerulea]]'' Small – Giant Blue Iris
  −
**''[[Iris graminea]]'' L.
  −
**''[[Iris grant-duffii]]'' Bak.
  −
**''[[Iris hartwegii]]'' Baker – Hartweg's Iris
  −
**''[[Iris hexagona]]'' Walt. – Dixie Iris
  −
**''[[Iris innominata]]'' Henderson – Del Norte Iris
  −
**''[[Iris kerneriana]]'' Asch. & Sint.
  −
**''[[Iris koreana]]'' Nakai
  −
**''[[Iris lactea]]'' Pall.
  −
**''[[Iris laevigata]]'' Fisch. – Rabbitear Iris
  −
**''[[Iris lazica]]'' Albov
  −
**''[[Iris loczyi]]'' Kanitz
  −
**''[[Iris longipetala]]'' Herb.
  −
**''[[Iris lorea]]'' Jank.
  −
**''[[Iris macrosiphon]]'' Torr. – Bowltube Iris
  −
**''[[Iris missouriensis]]'' Nutt. – Rocky Mountain Iris
  −
**''[[Iris monnieri]]'' DC.
  −
**''[[Iris munzii]]'' R.C. Foster – Munz's Iris
  −
**''[[Iris nelsonii]]'' Randolph – Abbeville iris
  −
**''[[Iris orientalis]]'' Mill. – Yellowband Iris
  −
**''[[Iris pontica]]'' Zapal.
  −
**''[[Iris prismatica]]'' Pursh ex Ker-Gawl. – Slender Blue Flag
  −
**''[[Iris pseudacorus]]'' L. – Yellow Iris, Yellow Flag
  −
**''[[Iris purdyi]]'' Eastw. – Purdy's Iris
  −
**''[[Iris ruthenica]]'' Ker-Gawl.
  −
**''[[Iris sanguinea]]'' Hornem. ex Donn – Japanese Iris - [[:ja:アヤメ]]
  −
**''[[Iris setosa]]'' Pallas ex Link – Beachhead Iris
  −
**''[[Iris sibirica]]'' L. – [[Siberian Iris]]
  −
**''[[Iris sintenisii]]'' Janka
  −
**''[[Iris spuria]]'' L. – Seashore Iris
  −
**''[[Iris tenax]]'' Dougl. ex Lindl. – Toughleaf Iris
  −
**''[[Iris tenuifolia]]'' Pall.
  −
**''[[Iris tenuissima]]'' Dykes – Longtube Iris
  −
**''[[Iris tridentata]]'' Pursh – Savanna Iris
  −
**''[[Iris unguicularis]]'' Poir.
  −
**''[[Iris verna]]'' L. – Dwarf Violet Iris
  −
**''[[Iris versicolor]]'' L. – Larger Blue Flag
  −
**''[[Iris virginica]]'' L. – Virginia Iris
  −
**''[[Iris wilsonii]]'' C.H.Wright
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Limniris'' sect. ''Lophiris''
  −
**''[[Iris confusa]]'' Sealy
  −
**''[[Iris cristata]]'' Ait. – Crested Iris
  −
**''[[Iris gracilipes]]'' A.Gray
  −
**''[[Iris japonica]]'' Thunb.
  −
**''[[Iris lacustris]]'' Nutt. – [[Dwarf Lake Iris]]
  −
**''[[Iris milesii]]'' Foster
  −
**''[[Iris tectorum]]'' Maxim. – Wall Iris
  −
**''[[Iris tenuis]]'' S.Wats. – Clackamas Iris
  −
**''[[Iris wattii]]'' Baker ex Hook.f.
  −
  −
;[[Iris subgenus Xiphium|''Iris'' subgenus ''Xiphium'']] (syn. genus ''Xiphion''), a group of bulbous irises.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Xiphium'' sect. ''Xiphium''
  −
**''[[Iris boissieri]]'' Henriq
  −
**''[[Iris filifolia]]'' Boiss.
  −
**''[[Iris juncea]]'' Poir.
  −
**''[[Iris latifolia]]'' Mill.
  −
**''[[Iris serotina]]'' Willk. in Willk. & Lange
  −
**''[[Iris tingitana]]'' Boiss. & Reut. – Morocco Iris
  −
**''[[Iris xiphium]]''  L. – Spanish Iris. or Dutch Iris
  −
  −
;[[Iris subgenus Nepalensis|''Iris'' subgenus ''Nepalensis'']] (syn. genus ''Junopsis''); also bulbous.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Nepalensis'' sect. ''Nepalensis''
  −
**''[[Iris collettii]]'' Hook.
  −
**''[[Iris decora]]'' Wall.
  −
  −
;[[Iris subgenus Scorpiris|''Iris'' subgenus ''Scorpiris'']] (syn. genus ''Juno''); also bulbous.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Scorpiris'' sect. ''Scorpiris''
  −
**''[[Iris albomarginata]]'' R.C.Foster
  −
**''[[Iris aucheri]]'' (Baker) Sealy
  −
**''[[Iris bucharica]]'' Foster
  −
**''[[Iris caucasica]]'' Hoffm.
  −
**''[[Iris cycloglossa]]'' Wendelbo
  −
**''[[Iris fosteriana]]'' Aitch. & Baker
  −
**''[[Iris graeberiana]]'' Tubergen ex Sealy
  −
**''[[Iris magnifica]]'' Vved.
  −
**''[[Iris palaestina]]'' (Bak.) Boiss.
  −
**''[[Iris persica]]'' L.
  −
**''[[Iris planifolia]]'' (Mill.) Fiori & Paol.
  −
**''[[Iris pseudocaucasica]]'' Grossh.
  −
**''[[Iris regis-uzziae]]'' Feinbrun
  −
**''[[Iris rosenbachiana]]'' Reg.
  −
**''[[Iris vicaria]]'' Vved.
  −
  −
;[[Iris subgenus Hermodactyloides|''Iris'' subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'']] (syn. genus ''Iridodictyum''); also bulbous.
  −
*''Iris'' subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' sect. ''Hermodactyloides''
  −
**''[[Iris bakeriana]]'' Foster
  −
**''[[Iris danfordiae]]'' (Baker) Boiss.
  −
**''[[Iris histrio]]'' Rchb.f.
  −
**''[[Iris histrioides]]'' (G.F.Wilson) S.Arn.
  −
**''[[Iris reticulata]]'' Bieb.
  −
**''[[Iris vartanii]]'' Fost.
  −
**''[[Iris winogradowii]]'' Fomin
  −
  −
<!-- (Untraced to classification: please transfer to relevant subgenus and section if known; delete any that are synonyms or cultivars of other species)
  −
**''[[Iris acoroides]]'' Spach
  −
**''[[Iris astrachanica]]'' Rodionenko
  −
**''[[Iris aurea]]'' Lindl.
  −
**''[[Iris benacensis]]'' A.Kern.
  −
**''[[Iris brandzae]]'' Prodan
  −
**''[[Iris buriensis]]'' Lem.
  −
**''[[Iris calcarea]]'' Dinsm.
  −
**''[[Iris carthaliniae]]'' Fomin
  −
**''[[Iris cengialti]]'' Ambros.
  −
**''[[Iris croatica]]'' Horv.
  −
**''[[Iris daenensis]]'' Kotschy ex Baker
  −
**''[[Iris demetrii]]'' Achv. & Mirzoeva
  −
**''[[Iris dichotoma]]'' Pall.
  −
**''[[Iris ewbankiana]]'' Foster
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**''[[Iris flavescens]]'' Delile – Lemon-yellow Iris
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**''[[Iris glockiana]]'' O. Schwarz
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**''[[Iris iliensis]]'' Poljakov
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**''[[Iris illyrica]]'' Tomm.
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**''[[Iris italica]]'' Parl.
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**''[[Iris junonia]]'' Schott ex Kotschy
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**''[[Iris klattii]]'' Kem.-Nath.
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**''[[Iris lurida]]'' Aiton
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**''[[Iris maackii]]'' Maxim.
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**''[[Iris mandshurica]]'' Maxim.
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**''[[Iris macrosiphon]]'' Torr.
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**''[[Iris notha]]'' M.Bieb.
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**''[[Iris nusairiensis]]'' Monterode
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**''[[Iris pamphylica]]'' Hedge
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**''[[Iris perrieri]]'' Simonet ex P.Fourn.
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**''[[Iris polakii]]'' Stapf
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**''[[Iris purpureobractea]]'' B. Mathew & T. Baytop
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**''[[Iris robusta]]'' E. Anders. – Robust Iris
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**''[[Iris sancti-cyrii]]'' Rouss. – Sanctimonious Iris
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**''[[Iris sari]]'' Schott ex Baker
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**''[[Iris sikkimensis]]'' Dykes
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**''[[Iris sindjarensis]]'' Boiss. & Hausskn.
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**''[[Iris sogdiana]]'' Bunge
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**''[[Iris songarica]]'' Schrenk
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**''[[Iris speciosa]]'' Terracino
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**''[[Iris suworowii]]'' Regel
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**''[[Iris thompsonii]]'' R.C.Foster – Thompson's Iris
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**''[[Iris thunbergii]]'' C.E.Lundstr.
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**''[[Iris vinicolor]]'' Small – Vinicolor Iris, Winecolor Iris
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-->
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Some authors regard the [[Snake's Head Iris]] as lying outside genus ''Iris'', and classify it as ''Hermodactylus tuberosus''.
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==Cultivation==
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[[Image:Iris_flowers_(Indiana).png|thumb|200px|Irises in [[Warren County, Indiana]].]]
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Irises are extensively grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in [[garden]]s. The most commonly found garden iris is the bearded German Iris and its numerous [[cultivar]]s. Various wild forms and naturally occurring hybrids of ''Iris pallida'' and ''I. variegata'' form the basis of most all modern hybrid bearded iris.  Median forms of bearded iris [intermediate bearded (IB), miniature tall bearded (MTB), etc] are derived from crosses between tall and dwarf varieties.  Other iris types commonly found in garden are ''I. siberica'' and its hybrids (Siberian irises) and ''I. ensata'' and its hybrids (Japanese irises).
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The bearded irises are easy to cultivate and propagate, and have become very popular in gardens. They grow in any good free garden soil, the smaller and more delicate species needing only the aid of turf ingredients, either peat or loam, to keep it light and open in texture. The earliest to bloom are the dwarf forms of ''Iris pumila'', which blossom during March, April and May; and during the latter month and the following one most of the larger growing 'tall bearded' varieties, such as ''I. germanica, florentina, pallida, variegata, amoena, flavescens, sambucina, neglecta, ruthenica'' and their modern hybrids.
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It should be noted that a true red standard, tall bearded Iris remains an unattained goal of frequent hybridizing and selection. There are species and selections thereof, most notably, Iris fulva, which has a relatively pure red color. However, getting this color into a modern Iris breed has proven very difficult, and thus, the vast majority of Irises are in the purple\blue range of the color spectrum.
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The section ''Iris'' subgen. ''Iris'' sect. ''Oncocyclus'' contains the cushion or royal irises, a group of plants noted for their large, strongly marked flowers. Between 30 and 60 species are classified in this section, depending on the authority. Compared with other irises the cushion varieties are scantily furnished with narrow sickle shaped leaves and the flowers are usually borne singly on the stalks. The closely allied ''Iris'' subgenus ''Iris'' sect. ''Regelia'', includes several garden hybrids with species in sect. ''Oncocyclus'', known as "''Regelio-cyclus''" irises. They are best planted in September or October in warm sunny positions, the rhizomes being lifted the following July after the leaves have withered.
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''Iris unguicularis'' (syn. ''I. stylosa'') is a late winter flowering species from [[Algeria]], with sky-blue flowers blotched with yellow, produced (in the Northern Hemisphere) from November to March or April.
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Many other smaller species of bulbous iris, being liable to perish from excess of moisture, should have a well-drained bed of good but porous soil made up for them, in some sunny spot, and in winter should be protected by a covering of half-decayed leaves or fresh coco-fibre refuse. To this set belong  ''I. milifolia'', ''I. junonia'', ''I. danfordiae'', ''I. reichenbachii'' and others which flower as early as February and March.
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The cushion irises are somewhat fastidious growers, and to be successful with them they must be planted rather shallow in very gritty well-drained soil. They should not be disturbed in the autumn, and after the leaves have withered the roots should be protected from heavy rains until growth starts again naturally.
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<!-- (for transfer to species accounts when pages for them are started:)
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*''Iris albicans'', known as the white flag iris or the cemetery iris, has been cultivated since ancient times and may be the oldest iris in cultivation. Collected by [[Johan Martin Christian Lange|Lange]] in [[1860]], it has been in cultivation since at least [[1400 BC]]. Originating from [[Yemen]] and [[Saudi Arabia]], it appears in a wall painting of the [[Botantical Garden]] of [[Tuthmosis III]] in the [[Temple of Amun]] at [[Karnak]] in ancient [[Thebes (Egypt)|Thebes]] dated around [[1426 BC]]. It grows to 30-60 cm tall and is fragrant.
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*''Iris foetidissima'', the Foetid Iris, the Xyris or stinking gladdon of Gerard, is a native of [[England]] south of [[Durham]] and also of [[Ireland]], southern [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]]. Its flowers are usually of a dull, leaden-blue colour; the capsules, which remain attached to the plant throughout the winter, are 5-8 cm long; and the seeds scarlet. When bruised this species emits a peculiar and disagreeable odour.
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*''Iris orienii'' Orjen iris, a close relative to ''Iris pallida''. An endemic alpine species with white flowers found in the karst mountain Orjen in Montenegro. It is very rare and protected.
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*''Iris pallida'' Dalmatian iris, Sweet iris; native to the Illyrian coast (former Yugoslavia) but widely naturalised elsewhere. ''Iris pallida'' is cultivated for extraction of essential oils from its rhizome [[orris root]]. Prefers rocky places in the mediterranean and submediterranean zone and reaches sometimes montane regions at its southern range in Montenegro. Four varieties (regularly described as separate species) are recognised with one possible new alpine species having white flowers. The variety with deep purplish flowers from Northern Italy and the Slovenian alps is called ''Iris cengialti''. 
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*''Iris reichenbachii'' Reichenbach iris is a small bearded alpine iris from the Balkan peninsula. Specimens from the west Balkans are much smaller than those from Greece and the eastern Balkans.
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*''Iris reticulata'' and ''Iris persica'', both of which are fragrant, are also popular with florists.
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*''[[Iris versicolor]]'', or Blue Flag, is indigenous to [[North America]], and yields "iridin", a powerful [[liver|hepatic]] stimulant.
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*''[[Iris xiphium]]'', the Spanish Iris (also known as Dutch Iris) and
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*''Iris xiphioides'', the English Iris.  Despite the common name of  ''I xiphioides'', both are of Spanish origin, and have very showy flowers, so they are popular with gardeners and florists.  They are among the hardier bulbous irises, and can be grown in northern Europe.  They require to be planted in thoroughly drained beds in very light open soil, moderately enriched, and should have a rather sheltered position. Both these present a long series of beautiful varieties of the most diverse colours, flowering in May, June and July, the smaller Spanish iris being the earlier of the two.
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-->
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[[Presby Memorial Iris Gardens]] in [[New Jersey]] is a living iris museum with over 10.000 plants.
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==Uses==
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Rhizomes of the bearded iris are the source of orris root and are used in [[perfume]] and medicine, though more common in ancient times than today. Today Iris [[essential oil]] ([[Absolute (substance)|absolute]]) from [[flower]]s are sometimes used in [[Aromatherapy]] as sedative medicines. The dried rhizomes are also given whole to babies to help in teething. Magellan Gin uses iris root and flower, for flavor and color.[http://magellangin.com/magellan/iris.html]
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Iris rhizomes contain [[terpenes]], [[organic acids]] ([[miristic]] acid, [[undecilene]] acid, [[tridecilic]] acid), [[glycosides]], and [[iridin]], and the leaves contain [[ascorbic acid]].
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;Perfumery
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Iris rhizomes are harvested, dried, and aged for up to 5 years. In this time, the fats and oils inside the roots undergo degradation and [[oxidation]], which produces many fragrant compounds that are invaluable in perfumery. The scent is said to be similar to violets.  The aged rhizomes are steamed [[distillation|distilled]] which produces a thick oily compound, known in the perfume industry as ''iris butter''.
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;Art
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The Artist [[George Gessert]] has specialised in breeding Irises.[http://www.viewingspace.com/genetics_culture/pages_genetics_culture/gc_w02/gc_w02_gessert.htm]
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The Artist [[Vincent van Gogh]] has painted several famous pictures of irises. [http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/irises/]
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The Artist [[Philip Hermogenes Calderon]] painted an iris in ''Broken Vows'' - 1856.  He followed the principles of an artistic group calling themselves the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.  An ancient legacy of the iris is the belief that it served as a warning to be heeded; as it was named for the messenger of Olympus.  It also conveys images of lost love and silent grief for young girls were led into the afterlife by Iris.  ''Broken Vows'' was accompanied with poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when it was first exhibited.
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==Symbolism==
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The [[fleur-de-lis]], a stylized iris, descends from the white iris which is native to Florence, Italy and which grew even in its city walls. This white iris, displayed against a red background, became the symbol of Florence until the Medici family, to signal a change in political power, reversed the colors making the white one red and setting in motion a centuries-long breeding program to hybridize a red iris. Catherine de Medici carried this symbol of Florence to Paris when she married the king of France where this most famous of irises acquired its moniker, fleur-de-lis. Contemporary uses can be seen in the [[Quebec]] flag and the logo of the [[New Orleans Saints]] professional football team. The iris has been associated with France as [[Louis VII]] adopted it as a symbol in the [[12th Century]]. Furthermore, it is also the almost universal symbol of [[Scouting]].  In addition, it is one of the symbols adopted by the sorority, [[Kappa Kappa Gamma]].
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[[Image:Flag Belgium brussels.svg|thumb|right|Flag of the [[Brussels-Capital Region]], featuring the iris.]]
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The iris is the symbol of [[Brussels]], since historically, the important [[Saint Gaugericus Island]] was carpeted in them.<ref name=monarchy>{{cite web | title = Brussels Town Hall | url = http://www.monarchie.be/laurentclaire/en/town_hall/index.html | publisher = The Belgian Monarchy | accessdate = November 3 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> The iris is now the sole feature on the flag of the [[Brussels-Capital Region]].
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==See also==
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* [[List of early spring flowers]]
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* [[List of late spring flowers]]
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* [[List of early summer flowers]]
      
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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*Dykes, W. R. (1913). ''The genus Iris''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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==External links==
*Rodionenko, G. I. (1961).  ''The genus Iris L.''.  Moscow and Leningrad.
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*{{wplink}}
*Species Group of the British Iris Society (1996) - A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation;  Cambridge University Press; ISBN 0-521-44074-2 (a comprehensive, up-to-date survey of ''Iris'')
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*Mancoff, Debra N.  ''Flora Symbolica: Flowers in Pre-Raphaelite Art'';  Pages 6, 16. Prestel Publishing, New York; 2003.  ISBN 3-7913-2851-4.
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==External links==
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{{stub}}
*[http://www.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do?plantName=Iris&page=quickSearch Kew Checklist: ''Iris'']
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__NOTOC__
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=116503 Flora of North America: ''Iris'']
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*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=116503 Flora of China: ''Iris'']
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*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=116503 Flora of Pakistan: ''Iris'']
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*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=116503 Flora of Nepal: ''Iris'']
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*[http://www.biocrawler.com/Pictures/?d=Botany/Flowering_Plants/Iris Iris Species]
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*[http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/iris/index.html A web site devoted to Irises], by David Payne-Joyce; includes plates from Dykes (1913).
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*[http://www.irises.org/ The American Iris Society]
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*[http://www.gbif.net/portal/ecat_browser.jsp?taxonKey=282369&countryKey=0&resourceKey=0&showIncertae=false&nextTask=ecat_browser.jsp Iris taxonomy in GBIF Biodiversity Data Portal]
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*[http://www.hips-roots.com/ Historic Iris Preservation Society]
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{{commons|Iris (flower)}}
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*[http://www.wildflowers.co.il/english/search.asp?searchString=iris&family=1&color=1&type=1 Iris listings at Wild Flowers of Israel]
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*[http://home.pacbell.net/kenww/my_iris/bearded_unknown/bearded_unknown.htm Bearded Iris] colors
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*[http://www.iris.huji.ac.il/Culture.htm Iris in Art and Culture]
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*Gouvernement du Québec [http://www.drapeau.gouv.qc.ca/emblemes/iris/fiche-technique.html Emblèmes du Québec - Iris versicolor] (french)
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[[Category:Iris]]
 

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