There are wonderful stories about Iris sari in the period literature, starting with the publication in the Botanical Magazine of an inaccurate illustration, which turned out actually to be Iris bismarckiana Damman & Sprenger.
A veritable frou frou of muddlement erupted thereafter in the horticultural press, involving Leichtlin and Baker and Sprenger with the later sorting things out neatly. I discovered this episode while documenting some of Max Leichtlin's contribution to Iris, and, as I have plans to write it up as a light short piece for SIGNA, I won't tell the story now. I will treat you to what I consider a choice morsel of Sprengleriana.
"I have received I. Saari true, but many plants that come under this name prove to be misnamed. [. . . .]. But as not only botanists study and name species of plants, but also gardeners, and perhaps also some limestone-burner of Jaffa, or some German schoolmaster living amongst the Turks, one cannot wonder that there arises great confusion."
Speaking of fun-raising, may we please give some thought to Jean Richter's offer to help with a bearded iris rhizome sale? As you may recall, I mentioned here that there was concern in some quarters that historic clones--things from the Randolph collection, for instance, or some collected forms which have been in trade, recently or otherwise--like Varner's remarkable listings--were either apparently lost, or on the verge of becoming so. I asked whether a rhizome sale might be feasible for SIGNA. Jean indicated she had useful experience along this line. My own notion was that such an event might be undertaken perhaps every three years, or more irregularly, as opportunity presented itself, and might be conducted entirely on the SIGNA webpage, with notices posted to this list. This list an official bulletin board for the Society, yes?
Much remains to be understood botanically about the bearded species, not solely from the standpoint of the history of hybridizing, but intrinsically, and it is well, I think, to try to keep some clones of documented provenance available for analysis--always assuming such plant material might actually survive, and might actually be donated to us for these purposes, and someone among the membership was actually interested enough in growing it on for preservation to pay for the opportunity, and the botanists might actually be willing to tear themselves away from looking at the sexy junos under high powered microscopes finally to consider adequately the pogons---which facts, I suggest, should not be assumed.
Happy New Year from Virginia.
Anner M. Whitehead
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Murrain <jmurrain@kc.rr.com>
To: iris-species <iris-species@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 3, 2013 5:54 pm
Subject: [iris-species] SIGNA Seed Exchange 2012
SIGNA Seed Exchange 2012 Coming Attractions
The final list for 2012 has been sent to 'press' and will soon appear in the SIGNA Newsletter, both print and electronic editions, and on the web site.
This year's list has some very special offerings, including seed that is rarely available. This is an opportunity to give a preview here to this group for those with special interests.
Thanks to generous members for making a big impression with their donations. To start with we have over 70 bearded iris mostly from named cultivars, but also some very interesting wild collected species, too. Among Aril Iris we have a good supply of wild collected Iris sari, one of the most readily cultivated pure oncos. There are seven different crested Iris species including a good supply of I. milesii. Among beardless species, this is the first appearance for the rare I. speculatrix on the list. We have good supplies and variety of both water Iris and Louisiana Iris including some choice wild collected items. Mention must be made of Tomas Tamberg's very intriguing Siberian Iris hybrids he has shared. Although many are in short supply they have a lot of potential. Tomas has also made some interesting donations to the list of wide crosses. There are plenty of spurias, miscellaneous and non-Iris Irids to tempt most gardeners.
We urge you to order from the web site and give plenty of substitute choices. Donors will get preference in orders as an incentive to donate seeds.
Unless we have a close out sale we can send only one packet per item so please do not choose ordered packets as substitutes. The web list is only updated when time allows, thus some seeds will be sold out but remain on the list for a while.
Thanks for your support of SIGNA through the Seed Exchange. Good luck Jim and Jim, co-chairs
