■ (SPEC) Iris balkana Janka

Synonym of Iris reichenbachii Heuffel.

1876, Botanical author Janka

Iris balkana (Victor Janka von Bulacs, 1876, collected by Max Leichtlin). Subgenus Iris, Dwarf Bearded; Color Class-S7D; Leaves 6–8 to a stem, ensiform, acute, glaucescent, the outer at the flowering time 3–4 inches long, under an inch broad, Flowering-stem 6–9 inches long, with a single terminal cluster of a couple of flowers. dark claret-lilac; a dense white beard tipped lilac; standards the same color as the falls. Macoun; Smith 1930; Iris reichenbachii balkana as var. of Iris reichenbachii Heuffel; or Iris balkana Janka as a distinct species in Mag. Ak. és term. kölz, 173, t. 14 (1876). Since Balkana is a tetraploid form with 4n=48, it is the form most used in hybridizing and some consider it a distinct species from the diploid Iris reichenbachii. Although we have followed Mathew for this list, hybridizers should note this difference. Iris reichenbachii Heuffel. See also cultivars: 'Balkana-Simonet Form' and 'Balkana-Hanselmayer Form'

References: John Gilbert Baker in . gives:

• Iris (Pogoniris) balkana, Janka . Adatok p. 179. This has now been introduced into cultivation in this country, and proves to be a distinct species midway between olbiensis and squalens. The following description is taken from a plant sent by Max Leichllin, Esq., to the Kew collection, which flowered in the herbaceous ground the first week in May.
  Tufts crowded, the whole plant about a foot high. Leaves 6–8 to a stem, ensiform, acute, glaucescent, the outer at the flowering lime 3–4 inches long, under an inch broad. Flowering-stem 6–9 inches long, with a single terminal cluster of a couple of flowers. Spathe-valves deltoid-navicular, green throughout at the flowering time, 2 inches long, 1-1/2 inch broad. Pedicel short. Perianth with a cylindrical greenish tube i inch long above the ovary ; limb 2-1/2–3 inches long, dark claret-lilac ; falls obovate-cuncate, 1–1-1/4 inch broad, reflexing from low down, with a dense white beard tipped with lilac; standards erect, broad-oblong, with a distinct claw 1-1/2 inch broad, emarginate at the tip, the same colour as the falls. Branches of the style 1 inch broad, white with a lilac keel, 1 inch long exclusive of their deltoid crests. Anthers white, as long as the free filaments. J. G. Baker.

Note: Not to be confused with 'Balkana' (an Iris lutescens cultivar).

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Interested in Iris Species? Please visit the: Species Iris Group of North America website.

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-- BobPries - 2010-01-07