Re: Iris tridentata, now foetidissima

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> Thinking of Iris foetidissima, I may have asked before, but does it have a foul smell?
>
> Mark A. Cook

I consulted Dykes, my most ancient iris book.

"Named by Linnaeus, 1753. So called from the smell of the bruised leaves, which closely resembles that of the foliage of Clerodendron foetidum.

This is one of the few Irises, which flourish in the shade and is often found growing in woods and copses. It has broad, polished evergreen leaves but all attempts to convey this character to hybrids by cross fertilization have so far been in vain, for foetidissima refuses to allow itself to be crossed with any other species."

He suggests crossing the various forms: two yellow-flowered forms, and ones with white berries as well as the common red ones.

Now for a little break while I go crush and sniff my various plants - yes, they all smell when crushed, not pleasant, but not unpleasant enough to avoid. It wasn't very strong. It is unnoticeable when digging around the plants, or picking the berry stems. I had to crush the leaf right under my nose.

Diane Whitehead