北美洲鸢尾物种研究组 (Species Iris Group of North America，简称 SIGNA) 是一个致力于鸢尾属 (Iris) 物种研究与保育的非营利组织，1968 年在美国成立，1972 年正式成为美国鸢尾学会 (AIS) 的一个分支部门 (Section)。组织汇聚了来自美国 30 多个国家的 700 余名会员，通过年度种子交换、会员期刊、物种数据库和专项奖项推动鸢尾属物种在野外与花园中的研究与保护。
组织背景与历史沿革
SIGNA 由美国鸢尾学会物种知更鸟 (Species Robin) 项目主席 Roy Davidson 于 1968 年发起，首期会刊 SIGNA Newsletter 由 Bruce Richardson 担任编辑，首批会员达 87 人。1972 年组织正式成为 AIS 的下属分支，标志着其从兴趣小组升级为有结构的学术部门。历任主席包括 Jean Witt、Elaine Hulbert、Colin Rigby、Richard Kiyomoto、Carla Lankow、William Plotner 以及 2013 年起任职的 Ken Walkup。
物种数据库与种质资源
SIGNA 自 1999 年起建立物种数据库，覆盖 434 个鸢尾属物种 (含变种和天然杂交种) 与 2121 张原创照片，资料由 D. Kramb 等志愿者持续录入，条目包含植物学名、同物异名、分类 (有髯、无髯、鸡冠状)、染色体计数、原生境分布、耐寒区与商业可获得性。所有图文均按 CC 署名-非商业方式向公众开放下载。
年度种子交换项目
1967 年 11 月由 Ruth Hardy 首创的种子交换是 SIGNA 的核心项目，每年 12 月开放订阅、1 月发货。2025 年第 59 届交换共汇集 10 位捐赠者提供的 500 余种鸢尾属种子，每包售价 1 美元 (VF/FW 类即售罄)；项目曾赞助 Dr. Waddick 1983 年中国考察之旅，将 I. typhifolia 等稀有物种引入北美园艺。
出版物与奖项体系
SIGNA Newsletter (后改名 SIGNA Publication) 自 1968 年 4 月创刊，至 2012 年已出版 86 期共 4000 余页，覆盖鸢尾属物种的分类、栽培、原生境与育种进展。1994 年起 SIGNA 在 AIS 奖项体系中设立 Founders of SIGNA Medal (物种奖) 与 Randolph-Perry Medal (种间杂交奖)，前者于 2003 年首次颁发。
The Species Iris Group of North America (SIGNA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of species irises (Iris), founded in 1968 in the United States and incorporated as a Section of the American Iris Society (AIS) in 1972. With over 700 members across the United States and 30 foreign countries, SIGNA advances species iris research and conservation through an annual seed exchange, members-only journal, species database, and dedicated awards within the AIS system.
Organization Background & History
SIGNA was founded in 1968 by Roy Davidson, then Chairman of the AIS Species Robin program, with Bruce Richardson editing the inaugural issue of the SIGNA Newsletter and 87 founding members. In 1972 SIGNA was chartered as an official Section of the AIS, marking its evolution from informal study group to structured academic body. Past presidents include Jean Witt, Elaine Hulbert, Colin Rigby, Richard Kiyomoto, Carla Lankow, William Plotner, and Ken Walkup, who has served since 2013.
Species Database & Germplasm Resources
SIGNA has maintained an online species database since 1999, covering 434 recognized Iris species (including varieties and natural hybrids) together with 2,121 original photographs. Entries, contributed by volunteers led by D. Kramb, document botanical name, synonyms, classification (bearded, beardless, crested), chromosome count, native range, hardiness zone, and commercial availability. All material is freely available to the public under a non-profit attribution license.
Annual Seed Exchange
The seed exchange, launched by Ruth Hardy in November 1967, is SIGNA’s flagship initiative, opening in December for orders and shipping in January each year. The 59th annual exchange (2025) collected more than 500 Iris species from 10 donors at $1.00 per packet, with VF/FW categories selling out quickly. The program also sponsored Dr. Waddick’s 1983 collecting trip to China, which introduced rare species such as I. typhifolia to North American horticulture.
Publications & Award System
The SIGNA Newsletter (later renamed SIGNA Publication) has been issued since April 1968; by 2012 the journal had produced 86 issues totaling over 4,000 pages covering taxonomy, cultivation, native habitat, and hybridization of species irises. Since 1994 SIGNA administers two AIS medals—the Founders of SIGNA Medal for species irises (first awarded in 2003) and the Randolph-Perry Medal for inter-species hybrids.
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