Re: Distinguishing Virginica from Versicolor?

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All iris have three main sections to the seed pod (except for Iris tuberosa, which taxonimists move in and out of the genus). Some iris have two rows of seeds per section. My belief is that the seeds of Iris versicolor are small enough to form two rows at the widest part of the seed pod, but may only form a single row at the narrow ends; the seeds of Iris virginica are large and form a single row the length of the seed pod. Someday I'll explore this further.

Ken Walker

Laurie Frazer wrote:

On May 20, 2008, at 12:36 PM, James Harrison PhD wrote:

Now would someone tell me an easy way to distinguish versacolor from virginica?  Or, are they so interbred in garden plantings that there is a spectrum?

I believe it was Bob Pries who told me that the seed pods on versicolor are 6-chambered, while those on virginica are 3-chambered.

Laurie