Subgenus ''Limniris'' is one subgenus of beardless irises, which don't have hair on their drooping

sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...

s, also called their ''fall''s. 'Limniris' is derived from the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

for marsh or living-in-lakes iris, or pond iris. This refers to the fact that most species can be grown in moist habitats for part of the year. It was originally described by Tausch in Deut. Bot. Herb.-Buch (Deutsche Botaniker) in 1841.

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). ...

made changes 1846 in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. (Annales des Sciences Naturelles; Botanique). It was divided into

section 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 sign ...

s, 'Limniris', which is further divided down to about 16

series Series may refer to: People with the name * Caroline Series (born 1951), English mathematician, daughter of George Series * George Series (1920–1995), English physicist Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Series, the ordered sets used in ...

, and 'Lophiris' (also known as 'Evansias' or crested iris). They are both

polyphyletic A polyphyletic group is an assemblage of organisms or other evolving elements that is of mixed evolutionary origin. The term is often applied to groups that share similar features known as homoplasies, which are explained as a result of converg ...

. It has 45 species, which are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a group that has been recognized with few changes since Dykes's 1913 monograph on the genus Iris. Lawrence (1953), Rodionenko (1987) and then

Mathew Mathew is a masculine given name and a variant of Matthew. It is also used as a surname. As a given name Notable people with the given name include: * Mat Erpelding (born 1975), American politician * Mat Kearney (born 1978), American singer-s ...

(1989) all tried to modify the group.Rina Kamenetsky, Hiroshi Okubo (Editors) Various authors have tried to classify the list in various ways. It is still undergoing study and variations.

Taxonomy

Section ''Limniris''

(going alphabetically) Section ''Limniris'' (going in alphabetical order) ''Series Californicae'' Pacific Coast irises *'' Iris bracteata'' – Siskiyou iris *'' Iris chrysophylla'' – Yellow-leaved iris *''

Iris douglasiana ''Iris douglasiana'', the Douglas iris, is a common wildflower of the coastal regions of Northern and Central California and southern Oregon in the United States. It grows mainly at lower elevations, below , though it is occasionally found at hei ...

'' –

Douglas iris ''Iris douglasiana'', the Douglas iris, is a common wildflower of the coastal regions of Northern and Central California and southern Oregon in the United States. It grows mainly at lower elevations, below , though it is occasionally found at hei ...

*'' Iris fernaldii'' – Fernald's iris *'' Iris hartwegii'' – Hartweg's iris, rainbow iris, Sierra iris *''

Iris innominata ''Iris innominata'', the Del Norte County iris, is a species of iris native to southern Oregon, and California along the north coast and Klamath Ranges in Del Norte County, California. The leaves are dense and evergreen, up to 20 cm. The fl ...

'' – Del Norte iris *'' Iris macrosiphon'' – Bowltube iris *'' Iris munzii'' – Munz's iris, Tulare lavender iris *'' Iris purdyi'' – Purdy's iris *'' Iris tenax'' – Tough-leaved iris, Oregon iris *'' Iris tenuissima'' Dykes – (Long-tubed iris) ''Series Chinenses'' (from east Asia) *'' Iris henryi'' Baker *'' Iris koreana'' Nakai *''

Iris minutoaurea ''Iris minutoaurea'' is a beardless iris in the genus ''Iris'', in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Chinenses'' of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial of eastern Asia, native to China and Korea. It has been natura ...

'' Makino *'' Iris odaesanensis'' Y.N.Lee *'' Iris proantha'' Diels *''

Iris rossii ''Iris rossii'', the long-tail iris, is a beardless iris in the genus ''Iris'', in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Chinenses'' of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial from Japan, Korea and China. It has narrow, gras ...

'' Baker *'' Iris speculatrix'' Hance ''Series Ensatae'' *'' Iris lactea'' Pall. ''Series Foetidissimae'' *''

Iris foetidissima ''Iris foetidissima'', the stinking iris,Richard Fitter, Alastair Fitter and Marjorie Blamey gladdon, Gladwin iris, roast-beef plant, or stinking gladwin, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, found in open woodland, hedgebank ...

'' L. – Stinking iris, Gladwin iris, stinking gladwin, gladdon, roast-beef plant ''Series Hexagonae'' (known as the Louisiana irises) *''

Iris brevicaulis ''Iris brevicaulis'' is a species in the genus ''Iris (plant), Iris'', it is also in the subgenus ''Iris subg. Limniris, Limniris'' and in the series ''Louisiana iris, Hexagonae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, perennial, from North Ameri ...

'' Raf. – Zigzag iris *''

Iris fulva ''Iris fulva'', also known as copper iris, is a species in the genus '' Iris'', it is also in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Hexagonae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial, endemic to the southern and central United States. It has co ...

'' Ker-Gawl. – Copper iris *'' Iris giganticaerulea'' – Giant blue iris, giant blue flag *'' Iris hexagona'' Walt. – Dixie iris *''

Iris nelsonii ''Iris nelsonii'' is a species in the genus ''Iris'', it is also in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' hexagonae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from northern America. It has long drooping, grass-like leaves, tall stems, 10 red-pu ...

'' Randolph – (Abbeville iris) *'' Iris savannarum'' Small – Prairie iris ''Series Laevigatae'' (which includes the

Japanese iris The term "Japanese iris" encompasses three species of Irises cultivated in gardens or growing wild in Japan: ''hanashōbu'' (''Iris ensata''), ''kakitsubata'' ('' Iris laevigata'') and ''ayame'' (''Iris sanguinea''). Of these three species, ''I. ...

es) *''

Iris ensata ''Iris ensata'', the Japanese iris or Japanese water iris (Japanese: ''hanashōbu''), formerly ''I. kaempferi'', is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, native to Japan, China, Korea and Russia, and widely cultivated as an ornam ...

'' Thunb. –

, '' hanashōbu'' (

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

) (including ''I. kaempferi'') *'' Iris laevigata'' Fisch – Rabbitear iris, shallow-flowered iris, '' kakitsubata'' (Japanese) *'' Iris maackii'' Maxim. *''

Iris pseudacorus ''Iris pseudacorus'', the yellow flag, yellow iris, or water flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa. Its specific epithet ''pseudacorus'' means "false acorus", re ...

'' L. –

Yellow iris ''Iris pseudacorus'', the yellow flag, yellow iris, or water flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa. Its specific epithet ''pseudacorus'' means "false acorus", ref ...

, yellow flag *''

Iris versicolor ''Iris versicolor'' is also commonly known as the blue flag, harlequin blueflag, larger blue flag, northern blue flag, and poison flag, plus other variations of these names, and in Britain and Ireland as purple iris. It is a species of ''Iris'' ...

'' L. –

Larger blue flag ''Iris versicolor'' is also commonly known as the blue flag, harlequin blueflag, larger blue flag, northern blue flag, and poison flag, plus other variations of these names, and in Britain and Ireland as purple iris. It is a species of ''Iris'' ...

, harlequin blueflag *''

Iris virginica ''Iris virginica'', with the common name Virginia blueflag, Virginia iris, great blue flag, or southern blue flag, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the Iridaceae (iris) family, native to central and eastern North America. It was iden ...

'' L. – Virginia iris ''Series Longipetalae'' (Rocky Mountain or long-petaled iris) *'' Iris longipetala'' Herb. – (Coast iris) *'' Iris missouriensis'' – Rocky Mountain iris, Western blue flag ''Series Prismaticae'' (contains just one species from America) *'' Iris prismatica'' Pursh ex Ker-Gawl. – (Slender blue flag) ''Series Ruthenicae'' *'' Iris ruthenica'' Ker-Gawl. *'' Iris uniflora'' Pall. ''Series Sibiricae'' (Siberian irises) *'' Iris bulleyana'' Dykes *'' Iris chrysographes'' –

Black iris ''Iris chrysographes'', the black iris, is a plant species that belongs to the genus ''Iris''. It is native to Southern China and Myanmar (Burma), growing in meadows, streamsides, hillsides and forest margins. Other irises with black flowers ...

*'' Iris clarkei'' Baker *'' Iris delavayi'' Micheli *''

Iris forrestii ''Iris forrestii'' is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Iris'', also the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Sibiricae''. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China (including Tibet) and Burma. It has linear grassy-li ...

''Dykes *''

Iris sanguinea ''Iris sanguinea'' is a rhizomatous flowering plant in the genus ''Iris'' and in the series '' Sibiricae''. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is one of the species considered a Japanese iris. It is from Asia, found ...

'' Hornem. ex Donn –

Blood iris ''Iris sanguinea'' is a rhizome, rhizomatous flowering plant in the genus ''Iris (plant), Iris'' and in the series ''Iris ser. Sibiricae, Sibiricae''. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperateness, temperate regions. It is one of the s ...

, '' ayame'' (Japanese) *'' Iris sibirica'' –

Siberian iris ''Iris sibirica'' ( commonly known as Siberian iris or Siberian flag), is a species in the genus ''Iris''. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from Europe (including France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, H ...

*''

Iris typhifolia ''Iris typhifolia'' is a species in the genus '' Iris'', also the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Sibiricae''. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has slender, twisted leaves, deep green slender hollow stem and 2 ...

'' Kitag. *'' Iris wilsonii'' C.H.Wright ''Series Spuriae'' *''

Iris brandzae ''Iris brandzae'' is a species in the genus ''Iris (plant), Iris'', it is also in the subgenus ''Iris subg. Limniris, Limniris'' and in series ''Iris ser. Spuriae, Spuriae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, originally from Romania with viol ...

'' Prod. *''

Iris crocea ''Iris crocea'' is a species in the genus ''Iris'', it is also in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and the series '' Spuriae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, found in Kashmir. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also commonly known ...

'' Jacquem. ex R.C.Foster (including ''I. aurea'') *'' Iris graminea'' L. *''

Iris halophila ''Iris halophila'' is a species in the genus '' Iris'', it is also in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in series '' Spuriae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with yellow, white or violet flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in te ...

'' Pall. **'' Iris halophila var. sogdiana'' (Bunge) Grubov *'' Iris kerneriana'' Asch. & Sint. *'' Iris ludwigii'' Maxim. *'' Iris notha'' M.Bieb. *'' Iris orientalis'' Mill. – (Yellow-banded iris) *'' Iris pontica'' Zapal. *'' Iris pseudonotha'' Galushko *'' Iris sintenisii'' Janka *'' Iris spuria'' –

Blue iris ''Iris spuria'' is a species of the genus Iris, part of the subgenus '' Limniris'' and the series '' Spuriae''. It is a rhizomatous perennial plant, from Europe, Asia and Africa. It has purple or lilac flowers, and slender, elongated leaves. It ...

**'' Iris spuria subsp. carthaliniae'' (Fomin) B.Mathew **'' Iris spuria subsp. demetrii'' (Achv. & Mirzoeva) B.Mathew **'' Iris spuria subsp. maritima'' (Dykes) P.Fourn. **'' Iris spuria subsp. musulmanica'' (Fomin) Takht. *'' Iris xanthospuria'' B.Mathew & T.Baytop ''Series Syriacae'' (species with swollen leaf bases and spiney bristles) *'' Iris grant-duffii'' Baker *'' Iris masia'' Foster ''Series Tenuifoliae'' (mostly semi-desert plants) *'' Iris anguifuga ''Y.T.Zhao & X.J.Xue *''

Iris bungei ''Iris bungei'' is a beardless iris (plant), iris in the genus ''Iris (plant), Iris'', in the subgenus ''Iris subg. Limniris, Limniris'' and in the series ''Iris ser. Tenuifoliae, Tenuifoliae'' of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant, ...

'' Maxim. *'' Iris cathayensis'' Migo *'' Iris farreri'' Dykes *'' Iris kobayashii'' Kitag. *'' Iris loczyi'' Kanitz *''

Iris qinghainica ''Iris qinghainica'' is a beardless iris in the genus ''Iris'', in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Tenuifoliae'' of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from China. It has grey green leaves, a very short stem and ...

'' Y.T.Zhao *'' Iris songarica'' Schrenk *''

Iris tenuifolia ''Iris tenuifolia'' is a beardless iris in the genus '' Iris'', in the subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the series '' Tenuifoliae'' of the genus. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, from a wide region over central Asia, including Afghanistan ...

'' Pall. *'' Iris ventricosa'' Pall. ''Series Tripetalae'' (mostly having three petals) *''

Iris hookeri ''Iris hookeri'', commonly called the beach head iris, is a species of ''Iris''. It is endemic to sea coasts and beaches in Maine, in the Northeastern United States and also eastern Canada. It blooms in July. It was first published by the Englis ...

''Penny – (Hooker's iris) *''

Iris setosa Iris most often refers to: *Iris (anatomy), part of the eye * Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess * ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants *Iris (color), an ambiguous color term Iris or IRIS may also refer to: Arts and media Fictional ent ...

'' Pallas ex Link – (Beachhead iris) *'' Iris tridentata'' Pursh – (Savanna iris) ''Series Unguiculares'' *'' Iris lazica'' Albov *''

Iris unguicularis ''Iris unguicularis'' ( syn. ''Iris stylosa''), the Algerian iris, is a rhizomatous flowering plant in the genus ''Iris'', native to Greece, Turkey, Western Syria, and Tunisia. It grows to , with grassy evergreen leaves, producing pale lilac or p ...

'' Poir. ''Series Vernae'' (contains just one species from America) *'' Iris verna'' L. – Dwarf violet iris

Section ''Lophiris''

Otherwise known as 'Evansias' or crested iris. *'' Iris confusa'' *'' Iris cristata'' *'' Iris formosana'' *'' Iris japonica'' *''

Iris lacustris ''Iris lacustris'', the dwarf lake iris, is a plant species in the genus ''Iris'', subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the section ''Lophiris'' (crested irises). It is a rhizomatous, beardless perennial plant, native to the Great Lakes region of easte ...

'' *'' Iris latistyla'' *''

Iris milesii ''Iris milesii'' (also known as the red flower iris) is a plant species in the genus ''Iris'', subgenus '' Limniris'' and in the section ''Lophiris'' (crested irises). It is a rhizomatous, beardless perennial plant, native to the Himalayas, Indi ...

'' *'' Iris subdichotoma'' *''

Iris tectorum ''Iris tectorum'' (also known as roof iris, Japanese roof iris and wall iris) is a plant species in the genus ''Iris'', it is also in the subgenus '' Limniris''. It is a rhizomatous perennial. It is native of China, Korea and Burma, with lavend ...

'' (Wall iris) *''

Iris tenuis ''Iris tenuis'' (Clackamas iris) is a plant species in the genus ''Iris'', subgenus '' Limniris''. It is a rhizomatous perennial, endemic to Clackamas County, Oregon. The flowers are white, pale blue or lilac, with a yellow or golden low dissect ...

'' (Clackamas iris) *'' Iris wattii''

References

Sources

* ''The Iris'', by Brian Mathew, Batsford, 1989, 256 pages, 38 colour photos, 32 b/w photos, 16 illustrations,

External list

Clark University's classification of ''Iris''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q6070409 Iris (plant) Plant subgenera