Hi, Patty. Welcome to the group.
I don't have what you are looking for, lamentably, but I wish you well in your search. I grow historics, too. My own definition of historic irises also includes those species and forms of species which have historically been important garden plants, bearded or beardless. I assume you are aware of the existence of the Historic Iris Preservation Society so won't say more about that.
One thing interesting about the name "aphylla" is that it has been applied to several Iris species and forms. In the nineteenth century literature, for instance, we even see things described as "aphylla" just because they have the same color pattern as the plate in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, which is what we now call "plicata." William Dykes in The Genus Iris, 1913, reminds us that the aphylla "of gardens" is not necessarily the same as the species as we understand it. I need to write an essy on all this at some point, or maybe someone else will. But if you read someone from before WWI talking about "aphylla breeding" they may be taking about working with plicatas.
One aphylla-ish issue that I have not been able to interest anyone in concerns Iris 'Perfection.' Do you grow it? Have you taken a look at the branching on that thing when it is really cranking? Right at the soil line.
I think Robert Pries of this list is deeply interested in aphylla issues. He may bave insights to share, if he has time to share them. It's heavy garden season here now, not to mention Bob has the Iris wiki which sops up a lot of his time.
And of course, there is the SIGNA seed exchange. Someone may donate aphylla seeds, and if you are a SIGNA member, you could conceivably grow your own, as they say. We don't sell rhizomes of bearded species, but I've wondered if that might not be something we could undertake, if we could find someone interested in managing logistics.
Welcome again.
Cordially,
Anner Whitehead
-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia <pattydelnegro@yahoo.com>
To: iris-species <iris-species@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Sep 19, 2012 8:56 am
Subject: [iris-species] i. aphylla 'Irina's Gem'
Hi
I am new to this group. I live in Wisconsin and I primarily collect historic TB irises. I am very interested in starting a collection of species, starting with aphyllas. I just bought two aphyllas & 2 croaticas this year, so I guess thats a start!
I don't quite know how you acquire irises but I am interested in buying/swapping i. aphylla 'Irina's Gem'. I don't have any species to swap but I do have historics. Maybe someone knows where I can purchase it. Thanks.
