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Iris × germanica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Iridaceae
Genus:	Iris
Subgenus:	Iris subg. Iris
Section:	Iris sect. Pogon
Species:	I. × germanica
Binomial name
Iris × germanica L.
Synonyms
List Iris × alba Savi Iris × amoena Redouté Iris × atroviolacea Lange Iris × australis Tod. Iris × belouinii Bois & Cornuault Iris × biliottii Foster Iris × buiana Prodan Iris × croatica Horvat & M.D.Horvat Iris × cypriana Foster & Baker Iris × deflexa Knowles & Westc. Iris × germanica var. gypsea Rodigas Iris × glauca Salisb. Iris × humei G.Don Iris × laciniata Berg Iris × latifolia Gilib. Iris × macrantha Simonet Iris × mesopotamica Dykes Iris × murorum Gaterau Iris × neglecta Hornem. Iris × nepalensis Wall. ex Lindl. Iris × nostras Garsault Iris × nyaradyana Prodan Iris × pallida Ten. Iris × redouteana Spach Iris × repanda Berg Iris × rothschildii Degen Iris × sambucina L. Iris × spectabilis Salisb. Iris × squalens L. Iris × superba Berg Iris × tardiflora Berg Iris × trojana A.Kern. ex Stapf Iris × varbossania K.Malý Iris × venusta J.Booth ex Berg Iris × violacea Savi Iris × vulgaris Pohl

Iris × germanica is the accepted name for a species of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae commonly known as the bearded iris or the German bearded iris. It is one of a group of hybrid origin. Varieties include I. × g. var. florentina.

Description

Iris × germanica grows up to 120 cm (47 in) high and 30 cm (12 in) wide. The roots can go up to 10 cm (3.9 in) deep and it is a rhizomatous perennial that blooms mid to late spring. Hundreds of cultivars exist representing nearly every colour from jet black to sparkling whites and red. Some cultivars are known to re-bloom in the autumn (fall).

Biochemistry

It is known to produce the isoflavone irilone, and several analytical studies have been made from the rhizomes.

Genetics

As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings. It has had its chromosome counted several times; 2n=44, Banerji & Chaudhuri, 1972; 2n=28, Mao 1986; 2n=44 Sopova 1982; 2n=44, Váchová & Feráková, 1986 and 2n=44, Lovka, 1995.

Taxonomy

It is most commonly known as 'bearded iris' and in the UK occasionally as 'common German flag'.

It was first published and described as Iris germanica by Carl Linnaeus in his book 'Species Plantarum' on page 38 in 1753. It has since been shown to be a natural hybrid involving a cross between two other European species (Iris pallida and Iris variegata) rather than a true wild species of Iris, with both parent species having the same chromosome number (2n = 24) as the hybrid offspring.

As a hybrid, according to correct scientific nomenclature, its official Latin name is Iris x germanica, according to Kew and many other botanical authorities where cross 'x' denotes its hybrid status. Despite this, Iris x germanica and its many named cultivars have been sold to gardeners under the name Iris germanica for many years, with some horticultural references, such as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) continuing to use Iris germanica as the accepted name.

Distribution and habitat

Iris × germanica is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region. It is widely naturalized across Europe.

Cultivation

It prefers to grow in full sun, with well-drained soil. It normally retains some of its leaves over the winter period. After it has flowered and during dry conditions through the summer is best time to divide and transplant.

Propagation

It can be propagated by seed and by division.

Hybrids and cultivars

Iris × germanica has many cultivars, there are thought to be about 60,000 cultivars available. These are a few known named cultivars:

• 'Adriatic Shores'
• 'Amas'
• 'Askabadensis'
• 'Baveilles'
• 'Belouinii'
• 'Biliotti'
• 'Black Prince'
• 'Col Du Chat'
• 'Cretan'
• 'Crimson King'
• 'Croatica'
• 'Deflexa'
• 'Dominion'
• 'Dusky Challenger'
• 'Florentina'
• 'Fontarabie'
• 'Germanica'
• 'Germanica Alba'
• 'Germanica Caerulea'
• 'Germanica Major'
• 'Germanica Marmorata'
• 'Germanica Maxima'
• 'Germanica Violacea'
• 'Germanica Vulgaris'
• 'Gnome'
• 'Gypsy Queen'
• 'Istria'
• 'Junonia'
• 'Kharput'
• 'Kirman'
• 'Kochii'
• 'Kurdistan'
• 'Lemperg Purple'
• 'Macrantha'
• 'Nepalensis'
• 'Oriflamme'
• 'Paladin'
• 'Purple King'
• 'Seattle'
• 'Sivas'
• 'Srinagar'
• 'Thun'
• 'Titan's Glory'
• 'Turchino'
• 'Varbosiana'
• 'Varbossana'.

I. × germanica var. amas was one of the most important cultivars in the creation of the modern tetraploid tall-bearded Irises.

In Italy and Thailand, the leaves can be affected by a fungus, Torula masonii.

In culture

In Iran and Kashmir, Iris kashmiriana and Iris × germanica are commonly grown in Muslim places of burial such as cemeteries.

It has frequently been painted including 'Irises' (see right) and 'Irises' both by Vincent van Gogh in 1890.

Photo gallery

• Clonal colony
• Iris 'Fabian' hybridized by John Salter, 1868, UK

See also

• Orris root

References

1. "Iris × germanica L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
2. "BSBI List of British & Irish Vascular Plants and Stoneworts".
3. Rudy J. Favretti and Joy P. Favretti Landscapes and Gardens for Historic Buildings: A Handbook for Reproducing and creating authentic landscape settings, p. 145, at Google Books
4. Stace, C. A. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles (Third ed.). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521707725.
5. ^ "Garden Bearded Irises". Pacific Bulb Society. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
6. Ashtakala, S. S.; Forward, D. F. (January 2011). "Pigmentation in iris hybrids: Occurrence of flavonoid pigments in six cultivars of Iris germanica". Canadian Journal of Botany. 49 (11): 1975–1979. doi:10.1139/b71-276.
7. ^ "Iris Germanica (Bearded Iris)". Gardenia.net. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
8. "Lipase-catalyzed regioselective protection/deprotection of hydroxyl groups of the isoflavone irilone isolated from Iris germanica". 27 (2). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
9. Shahid Akbar Handbook of 200 Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review of Their Traditional Medical Uses and Scientific Justifications, p. 1047, at Google Books
10. ^ Austin, Claire (2005). Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0881927306. OL 8176432M.
11. ^ Laurin, T. (6 May 2019). "(SPEC) Iris germanica L." Retrieved 4 May 2020.
12. ^ "Iris germanica bearded iris". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
13. "Iris × germanica L. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org (The Plant List). 23 February 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
14. ^ "Iris germanica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
15. "Iris germanica L., Sp. Pl. 1: 38 (1753)". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 4 May 2020.
16. ^ "FNA Vol. 26 Page 373, 375, 376". efloras.org (Flora of North America). Retrieved 4 May 2020.
17. "Iris × germanica L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
18. "Iris × germanica – Species Details". Atlas of Florida Plants. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
19. "Iris x germanica (IRIGE)[Overview]| EPPO Global Database". gd.eppo.int. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
20. McIntosh, Jamie (21 June 2021). "9 Top Types of Iris for the Flower Garden". The Spruce. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
21. Li, Jun-Fu; Phookamsak, Rungtiwa; Jeewon, Rajesh; Bhat, Darbhe J.; Mapook, Ausana; Camporesi, Erio; Shang, Qiu-Ju; Chukeatirote, Ekachai; Bahkali, Ali H.; Hyde, Kevin D. (2017). "Molecular taxonomy and morphological characterization reveal new species and new host records of Torula species (Torulaceae, Pleosporales)". Mycological Progress. 16 (4): 447–461. doi:10.1007/s11557-017-1292-2.
22. "Chapter I Rhizomatous Iris (part 2)". irisbotanique.over-blog.com. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
23. Singh, Gurcharan. "Kashmir Iris". flowersofindia.net. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
24. British Iris Society (1997) A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation, p. 38-39, at Google Books
25. Trak, Touseef Hussain; Upadhayay, Ravi (April 2015). "Ethnobotanical And Taxonomic Study of Members of Iridaceae Family of Kishtwar, (Jammu And Kashmir) India" (PDF). International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences. 6 (2): 779–793. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
26. Stebbings, Geoff (1997). The Gardener's Guide to Growing Irises. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. p. 23. ISBN 0715305395.
27. Jennifer Helvey Irises: Vincent van Gogh in the Garden, p. 21, at Google Books

Sources

• Czerepanov, S. K. 1995. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR) Cambridge University Press. Note: lists as Iris germanica L.
• Davis, P. H., ed. 1965–1988. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean islands. Note: lists as Iris germanica L.
• Encke, F. et al. 1993. Zander: Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen, 14. Auflage Note: = species
• FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America. Note: lists as Iris germanica L.
• Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. 1934–1964. Flora SSSR. Note: = Iris germanica L.
• Lampe, K. F. & M. A. McCann. 1985. AMA handbook of poisonous and injurious plants
• Mathew, B. 1981. The Iris. 25–28.
• Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970-. Flora of Pakistan.
• Personal Care Products Council. INCI
• Rechinger, K. H., ed. 1963-. Flora iranica. Note: lists as Iris germanica L.
• Stace, C. 1995. New flora of the British Isles. Note: natzd.
• Townsend, C. C. & E. Guest. 1966-. Flora of Iraq. Note: = Iris germanica L.
• Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea. Note: = Iris germanica L.*
• Waddick, J. W. & Zhao Yu-tang. 1992. Iris of China
• Walters, S. M. et al., eds. 1986–2000. European garden flora

• Iris (plant)
• Flora of Europe
• Garden plants of Europe
• Plants described in 1753
• Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus