HIST: SPEC: Iris 'Flavescens'

In a message dated 12/14/04 1:37:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
DFerguson@cabq.gov writes:

<<  This thing is frequently confused as 'Flavescens' as well, and I wonder 
how long this has gone on, and just how far back this dates?  For instance,look 
in Kvhlein's Iris book at the photo labelled as 'Flavescens' (with 
'Florentina' in the same shot), and here is this same plant again (not 'Flavescens' at 
all).  This photo lead to my first misnaming of my plants, and had me calling 
them 'Flavescens' incorrectly for a number of years.>>

The descriptive name "flavescens," meaning yellowish, has been  associated 
with several Irises over the years, notably *Iris imbricata Lindley* and also 
*Iris variegata* in some forms. This was pointed out by Dykes' in *The Genus 
Iris," (1913) p.169f. See too, *A Guide to Species Irises,* published by 
Cambridge University Press for the BIS Species Study Group (1997), pp 36, 56ff,and the 
AIS 1939 Alphabetical Iris Check List. Brian Mathew probably comments as 
well, but I can't locate my copy of *The Iris,* so can't offer a citation. 

The one Iris properly known as 'Flavescens,' that which is that shown on the 
HIPS page, is generally assumed to be an old hybrid--natural or garden-- 
between the Iris species variegata and pallida. In the early XIX century it was 
published by De Candolle and illustrated in color by Redoute in his book *Les 
Liliacees* (plate 375), and there are those who believe it is much older. Iris 
'Flavescens' is a distinctive variety with a well-documented horticultural 
history. It appeared in the list of the Prince Nursery on Long Island in 1854, and 
is still widely grown.

You may wish to check the Archives for discussions of the Kohlein book.

Cordially,

Anner Whitehead
Richmond, VA USA

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