Re: Kaleidoscope and Joseph's Coat (was: HYB: sport)

Jean and others:

A. B. Katkamier of Macedon, NY was a nurseryman and fruitgrower who began
publishing a list of irises in 1927.  He is recorded as the registrant of
record for KALEIDOSCOPE (1929), listing it as TB and as a sport of Honorabile
according to the 1939 Check List.  "Joseph's Coat" was used as a synonym for
this cultivar by one or more nurseries, as the name is listed under the
Kaleidoscope entry as a synonym.  As the 1929 CL was assembled from a variety
of sources, this does not mean that Katkamier applied to Keith Keppel's
predecessor, paid a fee, filled out a form and "registered" the clone.  What
it does mean is that the compilers of the Check List acknowledged what was
published in his list or catalog as extant, the name in use by fiat.  The
formal process of registration as we have it today came later, I believe.

There is also an entry in the 1939 CL in bold lower case for "Joseph's Coat"
with the notation "Kat. 1930", meaning that the iris circulating, and offered
by Katkamier as "Joseph's Coat" is a synonym for the earlier published
KALEIDOSCOPE, and is further noted as being a sport of Honorabile.

The fact that two different clones are now in circulation that are *not* the
same cultivar shows how confusion develops and spreads.  I daresay anyone
would be hard pressed to say which of these two is the original Kaleidoscope
unless very careful descriptions of either or both are extant from those early
years.

All this goes to show the importance of the work of the Registrar and the
folks concerned in HIPS.  At least two other varieties--Chantilly and Pink
Ruffles--have two different but similar clones in circulation under the one
name.  In the HIPS photo list no distinction is made as to which is the
authentic, original variety, although I could easily point to which of the two
I grew on the order of fifty years ago.  Which of course proves nothing.

Wal-Mart and other chain stores selling all sorts of varied and sundry clones
labeled "Superstition" and a number of other familiar names spreads this sort
of confusion wide and far.  People like Phil Edinger work hard to try to
unravel confusion when and where it has occurred.

I suspect what now circulates as authenic KALEIDOSCOPE and JOSEPH'S COAT
Katkamier have established distinct and separate identities.  We may never
know how the distinction arose.  In any event both are worthy inclusions in
historic collections and in home gardens as they represent a type rarely seen,
but when seen greatly enjoyed.

Neil Mogensen

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