I. kashmiriana - karyotype (was Re: squalens, sambucina etc)

---

This title was getting a bit long on this one. This is a bit shorter, but not by much.

 

Leaving the white subject behind for the moment, I am curious if anyone knows which "I. kashmiriana" clone the published karyotype cited was derived from?  The plant I received and grow as I. kashmiriana appears to me to be a diploid I. pallida x I. variegata type cross, although it could conceivably be a tetraploid of similar origins.  I am wondering if this is the clone the karyotype was taken from?  If so, I think the karyotype listed for I. kashmiriana is not really for that "species".  This clone is the commonly available purple flowered one in circulation in the United States now.  When I read descriptions of I. kashmiriana, this plant does not fit particularly well, and it does not match illustrations.  This clone is shown on Ken Walker's web site, and Ken's photos also appear on the Iris Species Database.  It somewhat resembles cultivars such as 'Faustine' and 'Perfection'.  It flowers with the I. pallida x I. variegata cultivars, and it is fertile, producing good crops of seeds without pollination (I have not grown seeds yet).

 

I find it difficult to believe that this clone is really originally from Kashmir, and if it was collected there, I would guess that it was sometime earlier transported there from se. Europe.  I am more inclined to think it is a misidentified cultivar of garden origin (?).

My understanding is that 'Kashmir White' is a 48 chromosome tetraploid.  Does anyone know if this is true.  The citations I see mention chromosomes counts of 24, 44, and/or 48 for I. kashmiriana.  However, it is never documented, nor mentioned which clone was counted.  Any 44 chromosome clone is probably of an I. x germanica type or similar, and of hybrid origin, but was the original I. kashmiriana one of these, or did it have a balanced chromosome compliment?

 

Also, does anyone know if the original white I. kashmiriana, or any other clones under the name are still in cultivation and if they are available from anyone?

 

Thanks,

Dave