Iris ser. Longipetalae
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Iris ser. Longipetalae is a series of the genus Iris, in Iris subg. Limniris.
William Rickatson Dykes in his book 'Handbook of Garden Irises' (of 1924) includes 4 species in his Iris longipetala subsection; including Iris longipetala (Herbert), Iris missouriensis Nuttall, Iris arizonica (Dykes, 1917) and Iris montana (Nuttall).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Iris arizonica and Iris montana have since been classified as synonyms of Iris missouriensis.<ref name=plantlist>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The series was then first classified as a 'series' 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.<ref name=European>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) Template:Google books</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
There is still a lot of confusion within the series.
The British Iris Society only lists Iris missouriensis and classes Iris longipetala as a variant of Iris missouriensis.<ref name=ClaireAustin>Template:Cite book</ref> The American Iris Society and Pacific Iris Society lists three species; Iris longipetala (Herbert), Iris missouriensis (Nuttall) and Iris pariensis (Welsh).<ref name=america>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=pacific>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=european>James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) Template:Google books</ref> But Plant List regards Iris pariensis as a synonym of Iris missouriensis.<ref name=plantlist/> Iris pariensis was found by Stanley Larson Welsh in Utah and published in 'Great Basin Naturalist' 46(2): 256 in 1986.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The series has species are native to western North America,<ref name=america/> seen in Washington (state), Oregon and California.<ref name=stebbings>Template:Cite book</ref>
They prefer to have moisture in the spring and a dry period during the summer. They also do not like root disturbance hence they are difficult to grow as nursery plants. They are also rarely grown in the UK.<ref name=stebbings/> The species have thick rhizomes,<ref name=european/> fruiting stems (that follow the flowers) that stay on the plant until the next growing season, (or longer)<ref name=america/><ref name=european/> a stigma with 2 teeth (or lobes)<ref name=european/> and seed capsules with 6 ribs and taper into points on the ends.<ref name=america/><ref name=european/>
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
 |
Iris longipetala Herbert | California |
 |
Iris missouriensis Nuttall | United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming), Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) |