Mathew’s subgenus Limniris are Irises that grow from rhizomes and are beardless. They are native to North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Many of these plants are found in wetlands and some require moist rich soils while others can dry out a little. Mathew has divided this group into two sections. One section is Lophiris or the Crested Irises. The other section is Limniris which includes all the rest. This section is further divided into many sub groupings. The only subgroup that we have included at this stage on our wiki is Pacific Coast Irises. All the others are listed on this page and other Beardless iris wiki pages. Species L-R will be listed on this page.
For information about the others consult Beardless iris A-K - Beardless iris S-Z
Iris species from all groups are listed alphabetically on the Iris wiki page.
Other Iris pages: Aril Irises - Belamcanda - Crested Irises - Garden Bearded Irises - Hermodactylus - Iris index - Juno Irises - Miscellaneous Irises - Pacific Coast Irises - Pardanthopsis - Reticulata Irises - Spanish Irises
Iris lactea Pallas is from Northeastern Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russian central Asia, Tibet, China, Mongolia, and Korea. It has pale bluish-violet to white flowers. Photos by John Lonsdale.
Iris laevigata This species from Eastern Asia is often aquatic.
Iris laevigata 'Alboviolacea' photographed by Bob Rutemoeller at Kew Gardens in the UK.
Iris laevigata 'Variegata' is a beautiful form of Rabbitear Iris. It is native to Japan and grows well in damp soils or shallow water. Photo taken May 2005 at Plant Delights Nursery by Nestor White.
Iris lazica is from NE Turkey and Georgia. The species name 'lazica' is a reference to Lazistan on the shore of the Black Sea where it was discovered. It is very similar to Iris unguicularis, and is said to be hardier than that species. Photographed by Jim McKenney in his USDA zone 7 Maryland garden where this plant is grown in a cold frame. It is known to be a successful garden plant in some other gardens in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
Iris minutoaurea Makino is from Korea and China and is cultivated in Japan. It has yellow flowers. Photo by John Lonsdale.
Iris missouriensis is a widespread species that grows in intermountain western North America with flowers in various shades of white to blue lavender. It is commonly found growing in wet meadows, seeps, and open woodland. It can be found in places that dry out later in the year as it only needs moisture in the spring. Members of the pbs list have found it challenging to grow from seed. Photo from Jim Duggan taken in San Diego County, California.
Iris odaesanensis - Photographed in Darrell Probst's fabulous Epimedium nursery known as Garden Vision, this Iris is among several exciting Korean species suitable for a partly shaded woodland situation, but will take about 6 hours of sun as well. Darrell has several forms... all are beautiful, looking somewhat like a large white Iris cristata with a mass of pure white flowers and distinct yellow signals. Photos by Mark McDonough. In the last photo, notice the one aberrant fused flower.
Iris orientalis is the most well-known species in the section Spuria. Coming from Turkey and Greece, it is also found naturalized in old homesteads in Southern Italy. A very long lived plant, the form I grow is very tall, up to 170cm., and with time developes in a large round clump. I find references to an Iris ochroleuca gigantea and 'Shelford Giant' which I believe to be this form. Photo and text by Angelo Porcelli
Iris pseudacorus, yellow flag or pale-yellow iris. Native to Western Europe including Great Britain, Western Asia and North West Africa, but planted all over the world. In some environments it is highly invasive and banned. Grows in wet conditions. Photos Janos Agoston.
Iris ruthenica Ker-Gawl is from Eastern Europe and Asia. It has fragrant violet flowers. Photo by John Lonsdale.
See related PBS wiki pages:
Aril Irises - Belamcanda - Beardless iris A-K - Beardless iris S-Z - Crested Irises - Garden Bearded Irises - Hermodactylus - Iris index - Juno Irises - Miscellaneous Irises - Pacific Coast Irises - Pardanthopsis - Reticulata Irises - Spanish Irises