Aril Codes were developed during preparation of the 1976 Checklist, based on the ASI species classification system in effect at the time, but in 1981 aril iris were redefined (by a resolution adopted by the Aril Society) as

In other words, an iris could be classified as an aril only if both of its parents are arils. The codes themselves remained unchanged from those in the 1976 Checklist:.

ONCOCYCLUS SPECIES O

Members of the oncocyclus sub-section of bearded irises, which are normally characterized by one bloom to the stem. Includes both the species themselves (e.g. I. susiana) and selected clones that have been registered as named varieties (e.g. Real Ebony, a selected clone of I. nigricans).

REGELIA SPECIES R

Members of the regelia group of the hexapogon sub-section of bearded irises; characterized by normally producing two or more blooms to the stalk. Includes both species and selected clones that have been registered as named varieties: e.g. I. korolkowii, and Decorated Giant (selected clone of I. stolonifera).

PSEUDOREGELIA SPECIES PsR

There are sufficient characteristics to separate the pseudoregelias from the regelias. The pseudoregelias are dwarf, alpine species which are found in Northern India, Western China and Middle Asia of the U.S.S.R.

ONCOCYCLUS HYBRID OH

A hybrid resulting from a cross involving oncocyclus species and or oncocyclus hybrids.

REGELIA HYBRID RH

A hybrid resulting from a cross involving regelia species and/or regelia hybrids.

REGELIOCYCLUS RC

A hybrid resulting from a cross between:

ONCOGELIA OG

A hybrid resulting from a cross between:

Both the regeliocyclus and oncogelia classifications apply to inter-sectional hybrids but the term regeliocyclus groups together those hybrids that are predominantly regelia both phenotypically and genotypically while the term oncogelia groups together those that are predominantly oncocyclus.

In 1995, the Aril Society passed a resolution adopting a classification system based on a modification of that described by Brian Mathew in The Iris, which was published in 1981 and revised in 1989. This resolution defines aril species as those in the Oncocyclus and Regelia Sections of the Subgenus Iris, Genus Iris. This eliminates a number of species that were accepted as arils under earlier systems. In addition, aril iris were defined as including not only these individual species and their hybrids, but also any advanced-generation descendant having only aril ancestry.

In other words, an iris can be classified as an aril if, and only if, both of its parents are arils. The code indicates what type of aril ancestry is involved.

Members of the Oncocyclus Section of bearded irises, which are normally characterized by one bloom to the stem. Includes selected clones that have been registered and/or introduced as named varieties; e.g. I. susiana, I. gatesii, I. paradoxa, and Real Ebony (selected clone of I. nigricans).

ONCOCYCLUS HYBRID OH

A hybrid involving only oncocyclus, which may result from a cross involving oncocyclus species, oncocyclus hybrids, or both: e.g. Bareket and Charming Chick.

REGELIA SPECIES R

Members of the Regelia Section of bearded irises; characterized by normally producing two or more blooms to the stalk. Includes selected clones that have been registered and/or introduced as named varieties; e.g. I. korolkowii, I. stolonifera, I. hoogiana, and Decorated Giant (selected clone of I. stolonifera).

REGELIA HYBRID RH

A hybrid involving only regelia, which may result from a cross involving regelia species, regelia hybrids, or both. (None registered in this period.)

REGELIOCYCLUS RC

A hybrid involving regelia and oncocyclus, predominately regelia in phenotype, typically resulting from a cross between:

Example: Ballalaika Music.

ONCOGELIA OG

A hybrid involving oncocyclus and regelia, predominately oncocyclus in phenotype, typically resulting from a cross between:

Example: Purple Sequin

© 1998-2002 by Sharon McAllister