The subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' of Iris includes all reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises. It was formerly named as a genus, ''Iridodictyum'' by Rodionenko in 1961. but it was not widely accepted and most botanists preferred 'Hermodactyloides'.

Édouard Spach Édouard Spach (23 November 1801 – 18 May 1879) was a French botanist. The son of a merchant in Strasbourg, in 1824 he went to Paris, where he studied botany with René Desfontaines (1750–1831) and Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu (1748–1836). ...

named the genus in 1846. The word 'Hermodactyloides' comes from '

Hermes Hermes (; grc-gre, Ἑρμῆς) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Hermes is considered the herald of the gods. He is also considered the protector of human heralds, travellers, thieves, merchants, and orato ...

' , a Greek God, and 'daktylos' - finger. The name for the subgenus is very similar to ''Hermodactylus'' (the former name for ''

Iris tuberosa ''Iris tuberosa'' (formerly ''Hermodactylus tuberosus'') is a species of tuberous flowering plant of the genus ''Iris'', with the common names snake's-head, snake's-head iris, widow iris, black iris, or velvet flower-de-luce. Distribution A na ...

''), which was originally a separate genus to irises, but in 2001 was re-classified to be within the ''Hermodactyloides'' sub-genus. Most species are native to central Europe and central Asia. They mostly have one or two long leaves and flower in early spring.

Taxonomy

The subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' is subdivided into two

sections Section, Sectioning or Sectioned may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * Section (music), a complete, but not independent, musical idea * Section (typography), a subdivision, especially of a chapter, in books and documents ** Section sig ...

; ''Reticulatae'' and ''Monolepsis''. Known species include:

Section ''Reticulatae''

* ''

Iris danfordiae ''Iris danfordiae'', the dwarf iris or Danford iris, is a bulbous perennial plant in the genus ''Iris'', it is classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Reticulatae''. It is from Turkey in Asia. It has 2 gray-green or bluish g ...

'' Baker. * ''

Iris histrio ''Iris histrio'', the Syrian iris, is a species in the genus ''Iris'', it is classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Reticulatae''. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and south ...

'' Rchb. f. * ''

Iris histrioides ''Iris histrioides'', the orchis iris, winter iris or Harput iris, is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Iris'', subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' of the family Iridaceae. It is a bulbous perennial, that is native to Turkey, and has blue, sce ...

'' G.F.Wilson. * ''

Iris hyrcana ''Iris hyrcana'', the Hyrcana iris, is a plant species in the genus ''Iris'', it is classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Reticulatae''. It is a bulbous perennial from central Asia, from Azerbaijan to Iran. Description '' ...

'' Woronow ex Grossh. * ''

Iris pamphylica ''Iris pamphylica'' is a plant species in the genus ''Iris''. It is the largest member of the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'', it is also in the section ''Reticulatae''. It is a bulbous perennial from Antalya Province in Turkey, Asia. It has long n ...

'' Hedge. * ''

Iris reticulata ''Iris reticulata'', the netted iris or golden netted iris, is a species of flowering plant in the family (biology), family Iridaceae. It is native plant, native from eastern Turkey to Iran, but cultivated widely in temperateness, temperate regio ...

'' Bieberstein. (includes '' Iris reticulata var. bakeriana'' Mathew and Wendlebo) * ''

'' (formerly ''Hermodactylus tuberosus'') L. * ''

Iris vartanii ''Iris vartanii'' is a plant species in the genus ''Iris''. It is classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Reticulatae''. It is a bulbous perennial. It was once though to be part of the ''Iris'' subgenus ''Xiphium''. It is ...

'' Fost. * ''

Iris winogradowii ''Iris winogradowii'' is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Iris'', classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Reticulatae''. It is a bulbous perennial, from the Caucasus mountains of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Descript ...

'' Fomin. * ''

Iris zagrica ''Iris zagrica'' is a species in the genus ''Iris'', in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Reticulatae''. It is a bulbous perennial plant. It was described by botanical authors Brian Mathew and Mehdi Zarrei in 2009, who published th ...

'' Brian Mathews and Mehdi Zarrei

Section ''Monolepsis''

Originally Rodionenko created the genus ''Alatavia'' for ''Iris kolpakowskiana'' and ''I. winkleri'', but it was not validly published. B.Mathew then changed the name in 1989 to ''Iris'' sect. ''Monolepsis'', after his re-organization of the genus. Molecular evidence places ''Monolepis'' as sister to a

clade A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...

including section ''Reticulatae'' (including ''Hermodactylus''), subgenus ''Xiphium and subsection ''Syriacae'' of section ''Limniris''.Carol A. Wilson. Subgeneric classification in ''Iris'' re-examined using chloroplast sequence data. 2011. Taxon. 60(1): 27-35. Having flattened crocus-like leaves;

* ''

Iris kolpakowskiana ''Iris kolpakowskiana'', or Kolpakowski's iris, is a plant species in the genus ''Iris'', it is classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Monolepsis''. It is a bulbous perennial from Asia. Description It has a bulb covered ...

'' Regel. * ''

Iris winkleri ''Iris winkleri'', or Winkler iris, is a species in the genus ''Iris'', classified in the subgenus ''Hermodactyloides'' and section ''Monolepsis''. It is a bulbous perennial from Turkestan, in Central Asia. Description The iris is deemed to be v ...

'' Regal.

Cultivation

This genus of dwarf bulbous iris is mostly used in rock gardens, or planted by specialist collectors in bulb frames.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q18349260 Iris (plant) Plant subgenera