Dykes, The Genus Iris, 1913Description. Rootstock , a slender rhizome, about as thick as a goose's quill. Leaves , ensiform, about 18 in. long by ¼-½ in. wide, pale yellowish green, finely ribbed, produced in thick clusters. Stem , 6-12 in., wholly hidden by sheathing leaves, with a terminal head of two flowers, intemodes sometimes bare, sometimes concealed, Spathe valves, 3 in. long, slightly keeled, somewhat ventricose, pointed, green, scarious at the tip and upper edge. Pedicel , about an inch long. Ovary , as in I. spun'a, with three double ridges, ½ in. long, with a narrow neck. Tube , funnel-shaped, ½ in. long, with many ridges. Falls . The broadly lanceolate blade has a wavy edge and is separated from the narrow haft by an extremely slight constriction. The colour of the blade is a rich yellow with a paler margin ; the haft is also of a paler yellow, and the central ridge is very slightly raised. 2½ in. long by 1 in. broad. Standards , linear lanceolate, deeply emarginate, with a wavy edge, tending to twist spirally, yellow. Styles , much arched longitudinally and pressing close down on to the haft of the fall. Crests , small, triangular, much recurved. Stigma, bilobed, with two triangular teeth. Filaments , expanding at the base. Anthers , Pollen , Capsule , resembles that of I. spuria, being hexagonal, by reason of the three double ridges. Seeds ,Observations.This species is distinguished from the other members of its group by the less rigid leaves, more membranous and scarious spathes, and by the lanceolate blade and narrow haft of the falls. It probably comes nearest to I. Sintenisii, but, as far as can be seen from dried specimens, the spathe valves are not sharply keeled. |