Re: HIST: VISHNU

Donald,

SPECIOSA is listed in the 1939 AIS Checklist as a cultivar, not a species.
Both Dykes and the '39 Checklist agree that I. speciosa used as a species
name is simply a synonym for I. pseudopumila. The only description of the
cultivar SPECIOSA I have available is the coded one in the '39 Checklist,
which is "B7M", which I interpret as medium purple self.

From its indicated date and place of origin, I would assume that SPECIOSA
is a diploid and the result of pallida-variegata hybridization, though not
necessarily or even probably a first generation cross.

Jeff Walters in northern Utah  (USDA Zone 4/5, Sunset Zone 2, AHS Zone 7)
HIPS Commercial Source Chairman
jcwalters@bridgernet.com


----------
> From: Donald Eaves <donald@eastland.net>
> To: iris@hort.net
> Subject: Re: [iris] HIST:  VISHNU
> Date: Monday, January 20, 2003 6:32 PM
> 
> 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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