ASIClassABs1990-95

ASI Classification Terms and Abbreviations

for Arilbred Iris

Arilbred Codes were developed during preparation of the 1976 Checklist, based on the ASI species classification system in effect at the time. This definition of arilbred iris was changed in 1981, with the change in definition of arils, but the codes themselves remained unchanged.

Arilbred iris were defined as hybrid irises combining genetic characteristics of the Aril Irises and the eupogon irises:

To be recognized as an arilbred and be eligible for awards by the Aril Society International an iris must be shown to have one quarter or more aril blood [sic] as determined from its registered parents.

The Quantum System, sometimes called the Blood System, was used to determine aril content for eligibility purposes: determining the aril content of each of the new iris' parents, adding these numbers together and dividing the sum by two. The answer was the aril content of the new iris.

For arilbreds, the classification code indicated not only what type of ancestry is involved but also the approximate amount. Arilbreds were divided into three sub-classes: Oncobred, Regeliabred, and Oncogeliabred (as defined below). Irises in each of these sub-classes were divided by aril content or complement as indicated by parentage, or by appropriate plant analyses where results of such are known.

ONCOBRED OB

A hybrid containing both and only oncocyclus and eupogon irises.

REGELIABRED RB

A hybrid containing both and only regelia and eupogon irises.

ONCOGELIABRED OGB

A hybrid containing any combination of oncocyclus and regelia and eupogon irises.

The designations OB-, RB-, and OGB-, are used to identify Oncobreds, Regeliabreds, and Oncogeliabreds respectively with less than one-half aril chromosome complement.

The designations OB, RB, and OGB are used to indicate one-half aril chromosome complement.

The designations OB+, RB+, and OGB+, are used to indicate more than one-half aril chromosome complement.

Because of the limited interest in and use of pseudoregelias in hybridizing, no provisions for classifications were provided for pseudoregeliabreds.

CLASSIFICATION TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

FOR ARILBRED IRIS (1990-1994)

ASI adopted a new Classification System effective in 1990, redefining arilbred terminology. The codes themselves were not changed, but in some cases their definitions were changed:

•	A ¼-bred is an arilbred of ¼ to less than ½ aril content.
•	A ½-bred is an arilbred with equal numbers of aril and other bearded chromosome sets.
•	A ¾-bred is an arilbred having an aril content of over ½.

Arilbred iris were redefined as hybrid irises that combine genetic characteristics of the aril irises and the eupogon irises, which contained one-quarter or more aril complement as determined according to the Chromosome Set system. The same Classification Codes were used, but instead of just indicating what type of ancestry was involved they also was expected to more accurately describe the amount. In other words: the codes themselves were still as described above, but their definition and interpretation changed.

Arilbreds are divided into three sub-classes: Oncobred, Regeliabred, and Oncogeliabred. Irises in each of these sub-classes are further divided by aril chromosome complement as indicated by parentages, breeding behavior, or appropriate plant analyses where results of such are known.

ONCOBRED OB

A hybrid containing both, and only, oncocyclus and eupogon irises; e.g. Pearls on Onyx and Prairie Thunder.

REGELIABRED RB

A hybrid containing both, and only, regelia and eupogon irises. (None registered in this period.)

ONCOGELIABRED OGB

A hybrid containing any combination of oncocyclus and regelia and eupogon irises. The majority of today's arilbreds fall in this group.

The designations OB-, RB-, and OGB-, are used to identify Oncobreds, Regeliabreds, and Oncogeliabreds, respectively, with less than one-half aril chromosome complement.

The designations OB, RB, and OGB are used to indicate one-half aril chromosome complement.

The designations OB+, RB+, and OGB+, are used to indicate more than one-half aril chromosome complement. Depending on its chromosome complement: the offspring of a cross between a triploid and a halfbred can be registered as either ½-bred or ¾-bred, and offspring of cross between a ¼-bred and a ½-bred can be registered as either ¼-bred or ½-bred. The appropriate ASI classification code of an iris can no longer be readily computed based on its pedigree, but must be determined from pedigree, plant characteristics, breeding behavior, and perhaps even its chromosome count. Registering an iris is more complicated, but the resultant codes are expected to more accurately depict the true nature of the iris.

CLASSIFICATION TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

FOR ARILBRED IRIS (Current)

Arilbred iris are defined by the resolution adopted in 1995 as hybrid irises combining genetic characteristics of the aril irises, as defined by a the companion resolution, and the eupogon irises. To be recognized as an arilbred and be eligible for awards by the Aril Society International, an iris must satisfy special criteria for both ancestry and appearance.

•		It must contain one-quarter or more aril complement, as determined according to the Chromosome Set system. The classification code (described below) thus indicates not only what type of ancestry is involved but also the approximate amount.
•		It must exhibit at least two aril flower characteristics, such as:
Regelia Type
			1.		Elongated standards or falls as in *I. korolkowii*.
			2.		Linear beards and beards on standards as well as the falls.
			3.		Conspicuous veining.
			4.		A prominent V-shaped spot in contrasting color.
Onco Type
	5.			Broadly domed and reflexed standards as in *I. gatesii*.
	6.			Ruffled and reflexed standards as in I. lortetii.
	7.			Accentuated globular form as in *I. susiana*.
	8.			Extremely broad falls.
	9.			Well recurved falls.
	10.			Thick, heavy or broadly diffuse beards as in *I. susiana* or I. gatesii.
	11.			Exaggerated styles as in I. bismarkiana and *I. iberica*.
	12.			A definable signal spot at the end of the beard.
	13.			Flaring and lanceolate falls as in I. actutiloba.
	14.			Narrow and flaring falls as in *I. paradoxa*.
	15.			Linear beards as in I. maculata, I. meda*, and beards on standards as well as the falls.

* Ironically, I. maculata was one of the species eliminated by the companion resolution defining arils.

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