■ (SPEC) Iris florentina L.

1758, Botanical author Linneaus

Iris florentina Linnaeus (botanical author Linnaeus) in Syst. ed. X 863. (see also Iris germanica 'Florentina') registered as 'Florentina' (TB). (Collected Italy, introduced to northern Europe about 1500); TB; Early bloom season. Color Class-W1; White;

See below:

• * References
• * Synonyms
• * Variations
• * Hybrids
• * Distribution and Cultivation

References:

Gerarde 1597; Dickson 1794.
Curtis's Botanical Magazine 18; tab 671, 1803, offers the following; "Herb cespitose. Root thick, fleshy, horizontal. Leaves shorter than the stem, ensiform, palish green, glaucous, about a foot and a half high. Stem 2-4 branched, round, very slightly compressed, branches gradually shorter upwards, supported by two-valved spathaceous green bracts, the lower-most of which are leaf-like. Involucres 1-2-folwered, spha-dately membranous, rather longer than the germ, but not so long as the tube. Tube greenish, about the length of the ungues; segments of the corollas equal in length; ungues turbinately patent, those of the outer segments twice -- broadest and traversed longitudinally inwards by a narrow fillet of white cilias with deep yellow tips, inner ones convolute; outer laminae obovate-oblong, flattish, inner ones oblong-obovate, rather the broadest, upright connivent, while the outer ones are revolutely deflected. Stigmas pearl-colored somewhat oblong, outer lip entire, rounded; inner bipartate segments acuminate, subserrate, upright recurved, not revolute as in Iris germanica. Germ subsessile, trigonal-oblong 6-sulcate, longer in proportion than that of germanica; but not shorter than the tube. Whole corolla greyish white, outer segments with a somewhat bluer tint; sides of the ungues with brownish or greenish yellow veins. Blooms in May. A native of Italy and other parts of the South of Europe, it grows plentifully on the walls of Florence; cultivated here by Gerarde in 1596. Desfontaines found it in Algiers where it is sown with germanica about graves; he doubts they are specifically distinct. The dried root of this plant was formerly used in medicine but is now confined to some insignificant lozenges as an expectorant, and to the manufactory of the perfumer, to whom it is known by the name Orris or Orrice-root, being used to give certain articles, such as hair-powder, the scent of violets; that which is used for these purposes is imported from Leghorn, as what is produced in our climate has neither the flavour nor other qualities of the Italian root. Ray says the pigment called Verdelis or Iris green is made from the flowers of this species, while Haller and others say from those of Iris germanica. It is perfectly hardy; is progated by parting its roots in Autumn; not quite so common in our gardens as Iris germanica, from which it differs in the color of its flowers and leaves, in the scent of its dried root, in having its spathes mostly sphacelate or membranous, and the tube of its corolla not much longer than its germ as in that. Skynner has derived Orrice from Iris. -G"
1939 checklist suggests it is a natural hybrid of probably (aphylla X pallida), but According to Mathew "the name I. florentina has been applied to various forms of Iris. According to the best botanical usage it is not a proper designation of any species of this genus. It is therefore treated here, as a horticultural variety of Iris germanica", another source of the violet scent-Orris root. For more information see listing under Iris germanica 'Florentina'.
1805 Redoute's Les liliaceae
Sibthrop, J., Smith, J.E., Flora Graeca (drawings), vol. 1: t. 39 (1806)
Prince 1823; Watson 1854;
Fos. J.R.H.S. 15: 3. Oct. 1889;
The Gardeners' Chronicle 12 Feb. 1889; 14 July 1894;
Van T. 1900; Macoun; Farr 1912;
Gard. Mag. June 1913;
Wing 1920; Bun. 1938; Cli. 1938; Kat. 1939;
"Bearded Iris Tried at Wisley"-Journal of The Royal Horticultural Society 119,; H.C., R.H.S. 1916; AA clvii,;

Variations

Iris florentina cultivars: 'Blue Zua', 'Bluzugraf', 'Elizabeth Huntington', 'Elsie Crouch Diltz', 'Firmament', 'Florentina', 'Florentina purpurea', 'Janet Barnes', 'Zua'.

Hybrids

Since Florentina is already a natural hybrid with limited fertility it is unusual to for it to hynridize with other Irises. Iris florentina crosses: 'Altar Candles', 'Tan Crown', 'Vendor'.

Synonyms

'Florentina' (Collected Italy, Introduced. N. Europe about 1500). TB; W1, White self. "The name Iris florentina has been applied to various forms of Iris. According to the best botanical usage it is not a proper designation of any species of this genus. It is therefore treated here, as also in Bailey's Standard Cyclopedia, as horticultural variety of Iris germanica, but since it is distinct and has a collection of forms it also is referred to as Iris florentina. 'Florentina' has beautiful, scented, flowers of a very faintly bluish shade rather than pure white and on the falls there is some greenish-yellow veining on the haft, and a deep yellow beard, a few hairs often present on claw of standard. Like Iris germanica the inflorescence is branched and these branches are quite long, immediately distinguishing it from Iris albicans Lange in which the lateral flowers are sessile. Gerarde 1597.

Chromosomes

2n=44. Colasante & Saer, 1993. [Iris germanica L.].

Distribution & Cultivation

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-- BobPries - 2010-01-11