The experimental hybridization, as an important information source about the phylogenesis and the evolution of the genus Iris L.

Evolution shows different ways of speciation: one of them concerns hybridization and successive isolation. Commonly, natural crosses happen spontaneously between allied species, highlighting elements useful to represent the phylogenetic relationships that, respectively, regards the various species involved and, consequently, the evolutionary trends at high and low taxonomic levels. Comparative analysis can be used through many data sources and, recently, much information has been obtained by AFLP analyses of pure species which gives a phylogenetic view, while very little correct data have been diffused about the species of naturally hybrid origin. This depends on the difficulty of material identification, on the technique in use and on the complicated interpretation of the results. The investigation approach by means of experimental crosses gave and gives useful elements that can contribute to better clear up some phylogenetic aspects and evolution of the complex and discussed systematic arrangement of this genus.