Re: A new crested iris?

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            A distinctive, new crested iris was species was report and photographed a number of years ago in Northeast India. Since then I have contact a variety of researchers in India and elsewhere to determine if this may be an undescribed species.  There is plenty of evidence that it is something new and different. 

            After various unsuccessful attempts to obtain living materials, I learned that a couple of associates planned a trip to Arununachal Pradesh State in spring of 2014. I have known Aaron Floden, a PhD student at Univ. of TN for years. I knew he was a fan of Iris and familiar with many wild species.  When the opportunity came to assist him in finding support for his travels, I urged the AIS Foundation to support his travels. They did so generously.

            I did not go to India, but was successful in getting support for a portion of Aaron’s travel expenses. Aaron was able to readily observe and identify the iris in India. He and his fellow travellers made numerous photographs and collected living materials. Unfortunately none of these living materials was established in the US, Netherlands or Austria. 

            This new and attractive crested species remains temptingly nearear. A new trip to the same area is planned for mid 2015 and I am once again seeking assistance for this collecting and research study.  Once again the anticipation is high that plants will be observed, collected and living materials established in cultivation. 

            This note is to clarify my role in this effort, emphasize the difficulty of establishing new iris species in cultivation and the need for further research. I know of at least two other possibly unknown Asian iris that might add to our gardens and iris knowledge. The path is slow and difficult.