Iris ser. Sibiricae

Iris ser. Sibiricae
Iris sibirica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Subgenus: Iris subg. Limniris
Section: Iris sect. Limniris
Series: Iris ser. Sibiricae

Iris ser. Sibiricae is a series of flowering plants in the genus Iris, subgenus Limniris.

The series was first classified by Diels in 'Die Natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien' (edited by H. G. A. Engler and K. Prantl) in 1930. It was further expanded by Lawrence in Gentes Herb (written in Dutch) in 1953.[1]

Iris sibirica and Iris sanguinea were first recorded and described in the 18th century, but date back in Europe before that. They were used in herbal remedies, to cure ulcers, remove freckles and cure other women's problems. In the 19th century, they began to be used more as garden plants, and new hybrids were developed. In the 1920s and 1930s, American breeders also started creating new hybrids.[2]

Most species are easy to grow in temperate zones (including the UK).[3] They prefer semi-shaded positions, that contain moisture during the summer.[2] They also need soils with a pH level of more than 7.[3]

In the 1970s, the Society for Siberian Irises in North America did some chromosomal research into the series and found that the series was divided into two groups. One had 40 chromosomes (such as Iris chysographes) while the other had just 28 chromosomes (such as Iris sibirica).[4] It was published by L.W.Lenz in 'Aliso' in 1976.[5]

The society then decided to divide the group by this division. The 40 chromosomal group is sometimes known as the 'Sino-Siberians' (based on the native origin of most of the group).[2][6][7]

The Sino-siberians include; Iris bulleyana, Iris chrysographes, Iris clarkei, Iris delavayi, Iris forrestii and Iris wilsonii. The 28 chromosomal group contains Iris sanguinea, Iris sibirica and Iris typhifolia.[2][8]

The Morgan-Wood Medal has been awarded by the American Iris Society since 1951. It honours the work of F. Cleveland Morgan (1882-1962) and Ira E. Wood (1903-1977). It is given to those Siberian irises judged to be the best of the best in that year.[2][9]

The series includes:-

  1. ^ James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification, p. 647, at Google Books
  2. ^ a b c d e Austin, Claire (2005). Irises A Garden Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306.
  3. ^ a b Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-0715305393.
  4. ^ Vaughn, K. C.; Lyerla, T. A. (1978). "Flavonoid genetics of the 28-chromosome "Siberian" Iris". Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 51 (5): 247–248. doi:10.1007/BF00273771. PMID 24317811. S2CID 31379418.
  5. ^ "Iridaceae Iris subser. Sibiricae (Diels) L.W.Lenz". ipni.org. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  6. ^ Diana Beresford-Kroeger Garden for Life: The Natural Approach to Designing, Planting, and Maintaining a North Temperate Garden&pg=PA92 XFJ2OnvqAacC, p. 92, at Google Books
  7. ^ "Sino-Siberian Iris". cascadiairisgardens.com. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Siberian Iris Culture". irismn.net (Iris Society of Minnesota). Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  9. ^ "The Morgan Wood Medal". irises.org (American Iris Society). 24 December 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2014.