Iris ser. Spuriae

Iris series Spuriae are a series of the genus Iris, in Iris subg. Limniris. They are sometimes commonly known as butterfly irises.[1][2]

Iris ser. Spuriae
Iris graminea
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. Spuriae

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.[3][4][5][6]

All species in the series, have woody rhizomes and wiry looking roots. They have narrow upright, deciduous leaves. They produce clusters of flowers on unbranched stems, but can have branches but they are so close together, they still look like clusters.[7] The flowers are similar in form to Dutch Irises,[1][8] having narrow petals. The flowers have 3 nectar drops at the base of the falls.[7] The flowers can be used for cutting.[1][8] The flowers are also attractive to bees.[1]

They also have seedpods, with 3 pairs of ridges along the pod lengths.[7]

They tolerate a wide range of conditions (sun or semi-shade, wet or dry).[1][8] They even tolerate clay or sandy soils.[1]

They were first hybridized in the late 19th century. Michael Foster bred Iris monnieri and Iris spuria, to create Iris 'Monspur'.[1]

Includes;

Hybrids

Many hybrids have developed over the years. Including several that have gained the RHS's Award of Garden Merit (RHS AGM);

  • Iris 'Belise' (1m in height, with erect sword-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing 5–6 flowers with orange-edged violet standards and violet-veined white falls).[9]
  • Iris 'Destination' (1.3m, with long narrow leaves and up to 7 bright golden yellow flowers in late spring and early summer).[10]
  • Iris 'Kitt Peak' (tall plant with long blue-green leaves and deep violet-blue flowers, the falls with a bold yellow patch and veining).[11]
  • Iris 'Love for Leila' (tall deciduous perennial with blue-green leaves and straight stems bearing up to 4 deep purple flowers, the rounded falls with a diffuse central splash of yellowish-bronze).[12]
  • Iris 'Sunrise in Sonora' (tall and vigorous plant with long, erect grey-green leaves and stems to 1.2m, with up to four flowers, the standards deep maroon-purple merging into yellow below, the rounded falls yellow, blending into a narrow maroon margin).[13]
  • Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' (a vigorous plant with glaucous foliage and stems to 1.3m tall, bearing up to four flowers, the rounded orange-yellow falls veined and suffused reddish-brown near the margin, the standards reddish-brown, fading to yellow at the base).[14]

References
  1. Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.
  2. Diana Beresford-Kroeger Garden for Life: The Natural Approach to Designing, Planting, and Maintaining a North Temperate Garden&pg=PA93 XFJ2OnvqAacC, p. 93, at Google Books
  3. 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
  4. "Iridaceae Iris subsect. Spuriae Diels". ipni.org. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  5. "Series Spuriae (Diels)Lawrence". irises.org (American Iris Society). 9 November 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  6. "Summary of the Genus Iris" (PDF). pacificbulbsociety.org. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  7. Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p. 56. ISBN 0715305395.
  8. Cassidy, George E.; Linnegar, Sidney (1987). Growing Irises (Revised ed.). Bromley: Christopher Helm. p. 140. ISBN 0-88192-089-4.
  9. "Iris 'Belise' (Spuria)". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  10. "Iris 'Destination' (Spuria)". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  11. "Iris 'Kitt Peak' (Spuria)". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  12. "Iris 'Love for Leila' (Spuria)". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  13. "Iris 'Sunrise in Sonora' (Spuria)". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  14. "Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' (Spuria)". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
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