Re: HIST: Amoena, amoena (Was iris info)
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: HIST: Amoena, amoena (Was iris info)
- From: "* G* C* <j*@erols.com>
- Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 16:40:57 -0700 (MST)
Jeff and Carolyn Walters wrote:
>
>
>
> The *original* amoena pattern is a recessive trait also associated with the
> fertility problems mentioned above. The standards of these recessive
> amoenas tend to be quite a clean white.
>
> Paul Cook introduced the *dominant amoena* characteristic into TB breeding
> by introgression of a gene from the wild dwarf bearded iris, I.
> reichenbachii, through his seedling later registered as PROGENITOR in the
> late 1940's. TOLL GATE is one of the early introductions from this line of
> breeding. Most modern amoenas, neglectas, and bicolors are PROGENITOR
> descendants, but the standards of *Progenitor amoenas* are generally
> faintly pigmented rather than pure white.
>
Well explained, Jeff. I think it is that faint pigmentation found among
the Progenitor amoenas that causes some iris fanciers to refer to some
bitones as amoenas. I personally prefer the bold contrast offered by
the recessives, but, as noted above, they are very difficult to
hybridize.
Griff Crump, along the tidal Potomac near Mount Vernon, VA
jgcrump@erols.com
