Multivariate analysis of Iris meda Stapf based on phenological and morphological characteristics

The genus Iris represents one of the most diverse and horticulturally valuable ornamental groups worldwide, with considerable ecological, morphological, and genetic importance. However, despite its significance, many species remain poorly characterized, and the extent of intraspecific variability is largely underexplored, limiting their effective utilization in breeding and conservation. Iris meda Stapf, a narrowly distributed yet morphologically diverse species native to the Irano-Turanian region, was investigated in this study to address this knowledge gap and to assess its phenotypic variation. A total of 108 wild accessions from the Tafresh region of Iran were evaluated based on 41 morphological traits. Comprehensive multivariate analysis revealed substantial phenotypic diversity, with particularly high coefficients of variation in leaf shape (62.56%), crest color (59.79%), and standard color (46.35%). Elite genotypes such as ‘I. meda-3’, ‘I. meda-7’, and ‘I. meda-36’ were identified for their superior floral traits, while morphologically divergent outliers—including ‘I. meda-10’, ‘I. meda-23’, and ‘I. meda-59’—exhibited notable divergence in PCA biplots. Strong correlations were observed between flower diameter and surface area (r = 0.80; β = 0.87) and between fall length and beard length (β = 0.63). Principal component analysis indicated that floral architecture, vegetative growth, and pigmentation were the primary contributors to variation. These findings highlight the considerable genetic resources available in I. meda for ornamental breeding and conservation programs.