(1904) Iris Haussknechtii
The Gardeners' Chronicle p.251, April 16, 1904
IRIS HAUSSKNECHTII
(Sub-gen. Apogon).
Among the spring-flowering Irises this is one of the most interesting. The specimen from which our figure (fig. 107) was taken was supplied by Mr. Eeuthe, of Fox Hill Nursery, Keston, Kent. It is nearly related to Iris persica, and so good an observer and cultivator as Sir Michael Foster tells us that, were we to depend solely on variations of colour for points of specific difference, it would be necessary to make twenty or thirty new species. Sir Michael's observations are supported by the flowers shown by other exhibitors than Mr. Eeuthe at recent meetings in the Drill Hall.
The species is a native of Asia Minor (Amasia). It has a short, thick root-stock, linear leaves, and the perianth segments are destitute of any beard. In Mr. Reuthe's specimen the flower was of a dark purple colour, with the centre of the "falls" pale yellow dotted with small brown spots.
For more information on historic Irises visit the Historic Iris Preservation Society at
--
BobPries - 2014-08-06