1927, Iris fulva

Addisonia page 7, Plate 388, 1927

IRIS FULVA Red-flag
Native of the southcentral United States
Family Iridaceae, Iris Family

If more than one species once existed in the group which the red-flag typifies today, they have becoim- extinct, unless .ulditional ones exist in still unexplored nooks and corners in the Gulf States and contiguous territory.
It seems that the red-flag was discovered and collected independently along the lower Mississippi River twice shortly after the beginning of the last century, and also named and published independently twice about two years apart, as recorded above. The following note appeared with the first published account:
"An unrecorded and singular species, differing from any known to us in color and inflection of the corolla. Found spontaneous on the banks of the Mississippi, in low grounds not far from the town of New Orleans. Introduced into this country [England] in 1811, by Mr. Lyon, a very intelligent and industrious collector of North American plants. Hardy. Blossoms in June. Seeds freely, and is easily propagated by dividing the rootstock."
Two years later the following note appeared with the second publication of the species: "On the banks of the Mississippi near New Orleans; discovered by Mr. Enslen, Collector to the Prince Lichtenstein of Austria."
The original localities have doubtless been destroyed by the extensive engineering work along the lower Mississippi, but, fo tunately, the species has a fairly wide geographic distribution. It extends from the Coastal Plain of the lower Mississippi Valley into the adjacent provinces. In mid-spring it is still a gorgeous sight in the vicinity of the city of New Orleans, especially toward Lake Pontchartrain, growing in large and small colonies according to the proper relation of the water-table to the habitat. The colonies occupying spots with the best-suited amount of water flower profusely. Sometimes in marshy places it occurs in pure growths, and here it shows up to the best advantage; sometimes it grows in thickets or

For more information on historic Irises visit the Historic Iris Preservation Society at

-- BobPries - 2014-12-08