The Aril Society International

The Aril Society International is a group of iris enthusiasts from around the world that are devoted to promoting the aril and arilbred irises.

Aril Society International > About Us > What Are Arilbreds

About Us Membership Plant Sale Seed Sale ASI Library
Arilbreds are classified according to the quantity of aril ancestry they have, and whether that aril ancestry is oncocyclus, regelia, or both. Arilbreds with only oncocyclus and bearded ancestry are called oncobreds; those with only regelia and bearded ancestry are called regeliabreds. Nearly all commonly grown arilbreds, however, are of mixed ancestry: oncocyclus, regelia, and bearded. These are called oncogeliabreds.

The Aril Society uses a special notation to indicate the amount and type of aril ancestry that an arilbred iris has. The abbreviations OB, RB, and OGB are used to indicate oncobred, regeliabred, and oncogeliabred, respectively. Then a "+" or "-" is added to show that the iris is more than half aril or less than half aril. No added symbol means it is half aril. For example, OGB+ signifies an oncogeliabred that is more than half aril.

The OGB irises comprise the largest group of arilbreds and have the best balance of aril characteristics with ease of culture.

Small arilbreds with dwarf or median ancestry are sometimes referred to as "arilbred medians." This is not an official designation, but it can be useful in selecting plants for the garden. Most arilbred medians fall in the OGB- class.

Beginners new to arilbreds can use the following as a guide, although it is only a rudimentary explanation to the classification system.

OGB+3/4 or 2/3 bred oncogelia hybrid
OB+3/4 or 2/3 bred oncocyclus hybrid
RB+3/4 or 2/3 bred regelia hybrid
OGB1/2 bred oncogelia hybrid
OB1/2 bred oncocyclus hybrid
RB1/2 bred regelia hybrid
OGB-1/4 or 1/3 bred oncogelia hybrid
OB-1/4 or 1/3 bred oncocyclus hybrid
RB-1/4 or 1/3 bred regelia hybrid

3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 breds refer to tetraploids. 1/2 breds may also refer to diploids. 2/3 and 1/3 breds refer to triploids. Pentaploids, hexaploids, octoploids, and others exist, but are rarely encountered.

A more thorough explanation of arilbred classification is included in the ASI Checklist.

'Vera Marina' (top left) photo by Cindy Rivera. 'Babylonian Fires' (lower right) photo by Betsy Higgins.
Copyright © 1996-2023 Aril Society International.
Created April 25, 1996 by Tom Waters.
Updated 2024 February 19 by Ted Havelka.

- top of page -