A new cryptic species within Iris ruthenica was described
Iris ruthenica is a widespread Eurasian species whose genetic structure has remained poorly understood. Integrating plastid, ribosomal DNA, and cytogenetic data, we identify a cryptic lineage distinct from I. ruthenica, with plastid divergence (~0.5%) comparable to that between recognized Iris species and, in some cases, even between species belonging to different sections of the genus. rDNA polymorphisms further corroborate its divergence . Cytogenetic analyses demonstrated that the cryptic lineage is diploid (2n = 42), whereas neighboring I. ruthenica populations are tetraploid (2n = 84). While several plastid haplotypes occur within I. ruthenica  differentiation is lacking among  infraspecific taxa that are often recognized (var. albiflora, subsp. brevituba, var. nana) and  its close relative I. uniflora. Although no consistent morphological differences were detected, we describe this cryptic lineage as a distinct species based on strong molecular evidence, and highlight the need for future morphological reassessment.