Re: Iris pallida variagata

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Hi,

 

The plants look great.

 

I doubt either was ever registered per-se, but they are recognized in the AIS checklists.

 

The yellow-striped one is listed in the 1939 AIS Checklist under the "approved" name of 'PALLIDA VARIEGATA', dated 1901.  There is a slew of synonyms listed under it: " Aurea variegata; Foliis variegatis; Pallida aurea variegata; pallida foliis variegatis; pallida major foliis variegatis; Pallida panache; Pallida variegata lutea; Pallida variegated foliage; Striped Leaves ".

 

'Zebra' is NOT listed as a synonym, but is consistently misapplied to this cultivar.  The name was based on something completely different.  However, it is so generally associated with this plant that it almost seems it has become the unofficial official name by default.  I saw a description of the original 'Zebra' somewhere, but can't remember where it was published (perhaps in one of Dykes' books?).  The name was based on striped (broken pattern?) flowers, and the original 'Zebra', based on my memory of the description, was probably something like 'Batik' in pattern.  I have an old I. x germanica that consistently has white or pale violet streaks on the otherwise darker falls, occasionally darker streaks, and I've wondered if it is in fact 'Zebra'???  It appears to also be the same as 'Vulgaris', but I'm not certain of this.

 

In the 1939 Checklist there are two entries for 'Zebra'.  One is dated as 1893, and listed as extinct.  It is described as a feathered blue TB [in code] (usually applies to a white or light blue-toned flower with with darker blue-toned plicata markings).  The other is dated as 1937 as an accepted name, but there is no description, and no connection to our white-variegated cultivar of I. pallida.

 

The white-striped one is listed in the 1939 AIS Checklist under the "approved" name of 'ARGENTEA', dated 1906.  Synonyms are listed as: " Argenteo-variegata Bergm.; Pallida argentea variegata'; Pallida argenteis variegatis; Pallida foliis variegatis; Pallida variegata album ".

 

Thanks for the photos.  Makes me wish I hadn't had to postpone my trip to Colorado this year!  Looks like they had a good Iris year, at least in Denver, at least for Iris pallida.

 

Dave