Re: HIST: VISHNU

Jeff,

>I. junonia was described botanically in 1854.

 >There are several irises named "Speciosa" listed in the 1939 AIS
Checklist,
>but it is clear from the entries that the one that is listed as the pod
>parent of VISHNU is the one identified as "old French variety before 1830"
>offered for sale under that name by Lemon in 1839.

In the Mathes piece Lowell mentioned, he surmised that I. junonia, I.
purpureobractea and I. schachtii might all be very closely related.  I am
having trouble squaring what is pictured in ROOTS with the pollen parent
unless I. schachtii might be the parent.  Is there a description you have
available of the Lemon 'Speciosa'?  I don't have one in my material that I
can locate.  Do you know if it is likely whether the 'Speciosa' used would
be a species plant or a hybrid?  If so, then VISHNU would be a first
generation cross between two species.  If junonia is one parent, then at
least one parent was a 48 chromosome entity and not a diploid.  Add to that
they come from an area that is hot and dry during the summers and my own
interest should be apparent.

I also should note that VISHNU was introduced in 1930, not 1920 as I said in
the post.  That still predates the '39 CL entries by nearly a decade.  I
should never attempt a post until the battery cells are properly filled with
the needed quantity of caffeine.

Donald Eaves
donald@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7b, USA

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