Re: I. fulva "Arkansas Form"

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----- Original Message -----

From: j*@kc.rr.com

To: iris-species@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 5:37 PM

Subject: Re: [iris-species] I. fulva "Arkansas Form"

Jim Waddick and I looked up the registration to help jog our memories. The following is from JW.

Iris fulva 'Marvell Gold' is probably not the same as the "Arkansas Form". Here's the back ground of MG.

This is mostly from the registration info and SIGNA checklist:

Iris fulva 'Marvell Gold' was collected by Frank Chowning near the town of Marvell AR. in 1932. My late friend Bob Ward's wife, Janice worked as a secretary for Frank Chowning, a lawyer, in Little Rock, AR. It is unclear, but guessed that Mr. Chowning used this bright yellow I. fulva in his own hybridizing work, but I have not been able to trace this back. Janice and Bob have said that Mr Chowning was unwilling to share, name or introduce this iris, but retained it for his own breeding stock.  They were eventually able to coerce a piece from Mr. Chowning and Bob spread this around some to friends.  He gave a piece to Red Bud Lane Iris Garden who offered it for years (starting in 1986) simply as a yellow form of Iris fulva. Bob gave me a piece probably in the 1980's. I grew it for a number of years where it was admired by many for its good garden appearance. It is smaller and well suited to the perennial border. The bright yellow color and ease of growth and flowering make it a good all round garden subject.

After Mr Chowning died ( in 1981), I discussed the topic of naming, registering and introducing with Bob Ward. I was merely a conduit, but did suggest the eventual name and registered it in 1991. It has been widely accepted as a good plant.

I would describe the color as bright, clear yellow, not light yellow or buckskin (which suggest a pale tan-yellow).

I doubt that the plant made it into cultivation early enough to fit any of the citations of Rodney's, and may not have come to Bob Ward much before 1980.

That is all we can remember, hope it helps a little. Mr. Chowning did introduce 'Dixie Deb' and I bet 'Marvell Gold' is in her ancestry..

Jim Murrain

8871 NW Brostrom Rd

Kansas City, MO 64152-2711

USA

Zone 5b