I'm new to irises and am wondering if theres an identification key somewhere to help me figure out which ones I have?

darkopke

There are two tools I use to help identify an iris.
1.The Historic Iris Preservation Society is great for searching historic irises. If you click on "Gallery" then "Photo Gallery" you can search for irises by several criteria including the colour of the standards, falls and beards.
https://www.historiciris.org

2. The Garden.org iris database is useful when you know enough about the iris to narrow down the search. Unfortunately there aren't photos for every entry, so sometimes googling is also required.
https://garden.org/plants/grou...

If you post some photos in this forum, someone will assist if they can. Please mention the approximate height of the iris and include photos showing the beards (which you have done ).

Also, if you have had the iris in question for 5+ years then here are a few questions you need to answer.

When does it bloom? ie Early in the season? Mid season? Late season?
How high is it?
What is it's form? ( does it look like a "classic" iris from the 1920's/30's? Or something from the late 50's to the 70's? ect.

These facts will help narrow the field. But ID'ing via pictures alone in a bad idea. Once you have narrowed the field, you need to buy known cultivars to plant next to yours in order to verify.

to the iris forum darkopke.

it is extremely difficult to id an iris from pictures, alone. i've been growing iris for 61 years, ( i paint using watercolor as a medium so, imho i think i pay particular attention to color, form, and detail.), and i cannot always identify an iris by picture alone. there are too many other variables such as scent, and nuances that aren't captured by the lens, compared to what the eye sees.

so the iris in question might be narrowed to a few. then as greg suggests, quote:
"... These facts will help narrow the field. But ID'ing via pictures alone in a bad idea. Once you have narrowed the field, you need to buy known cultivars to plant next to yours in order to verify." end quote

the process can be long and arduous, depending on how many doppelgängers there are. or you may just treasure them and give them their own special name, and if you share them just make sure the recipient knows it's not registered name.

it is the same kind of situation for this lovely scented, dark purple iris. it was bought as 'cardinal rule', which it is definitely not. but, since the grower is no longer open, i am not going to pursue a name. i will definitely enjoy and love the moment. but, with limited space, will share this lovely, with someone who will appreciate it without a name.