Re: I. uniflora

Dear Ian;

        I hope I dont get too complicated.  In the taxonomic world their 
are three authorites that stand out on the genus Iris; Brian Mathew, 
George Rodionenko, and Zhao Yu-Tang.  Brian has extensive field 
knowledge of `Mesopotamica,  George has traveled through Russia and 
parts of the former USSR, and Zhao would have the field experience in 
China.
        I refered to Zhaos description of Iris uniflora in his Iris of China 
that he and Jim Waddick wrote.  I also reccomend the work along with 
Mathews The Iris.  Since Iris ruthenica has a range extending from 
Transilvania through Russia all the way to Siberia, China and 
Mongolia, it seems clear that Mathew and Zhao would have seen 
different populations.  The same is true of Iris uniflora.  Whether 
unifloras range is actually that far into Europe may or may not be 
acurate since the two have often been confused and listed as synonyms.

        Pallas was a German Botanist who traveled across eastern Russia, 
Siberica, and I believe into Mongolia.  He wrote his travels in 
German which I can not read.  I believe he had contacts with the 
German curator of the St. Petersburg botanical garden, Regel.  Pallas 
probably was familiar with most of the range of ruthenica and 
uniflora.  He coined the name uniflora but who can say if what is 
currently under that name is what he was looking at?  One would have 
to examine his type specimen.
        I asked Jim Waddick if he could think of and differences in habitat 
or morphology of uniflora verses ruthenica.  He has seen both in the 
wild in China and feels they are different but could not give me 
definitive characters.  He reminded me that Zhao separates them in 
his key as to Bracts sft, membranous green with reddish purple edge..
..........I. ruthenica.  Or Bracts hard dry-membranous, yellowish 
green; with pale red edge...........I. uniflora
        Mathew says the Flora of the USSR separates uniflora as a distinct 
species, distinguished from Iris ruthenica by having broader leaves 
and stems close to the flowers rather than on the lower part of the 
stem as in Iris ruthenica.
        Chromosome counts for uniflora are 2n=48,Scolovskaya and 2n=42, 
Doronkin; whereas for ruthenica are 2n=80, Krogulevich, and 2n=84 
Doronkin.  Although chromosomes can vary within a species, It would 
appear that this would be an interesting group to study.
        Keep your eyes out for different forms of ruthenica in Great Britain.
  I would love to hear reports on ruthenica or uniflora from all over.
  My only experience has been to grow ruthenica nana which was a 
delightful plant about 4 tall.  I regret that I lost it.  Bob Pries.
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