Re: Iris versicolor in Florida
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Iris versicolor in Florida
- From: "* A* M* <w*@Ra.MsState.Edu>
- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 13:32:55 -0700 (MST)
On Wed, 28 Jan 1998, Bill Shear wrote:
>
> > The range of I. virginica and I. versicolor do extend beyond the
> >Virginia border. I am across the state from Kevin Vaughn and these two
> >species thrive here. If I am not mistaken I. virginica X tet. LA produced
> >LITTLE CAILLET, the interspecies hybrid produced by the Durios in
> >Opelousas, LA. You can't get much farther south than Opelousas without
> >drowning in the Gulf!
>
> We were (or at least I was) talking about natural range, not in gardens.
> Iris virginica does indeed occur naturally in Florida, but versicolor does
> not. Not to say that some people might not be growing one or both in their
> gardens outside the natural range.
>
> Bill Shear
I. virginica is naturally occurring in the Noxubee Wildlife
Refuge in Noxubee and Oktibbeha Counties of east Mississippi. Several
years ago, a botanist at Mississippi State University doing some research
in the area, was given permission to remove some of the thick growth in an
area that was being developed for recreational purposes. He brought a ton
of I. virginica to campus and distributed it to interested parties.
I. cristata and I. verna are also found at Noxubee. MISSISSIPPI
WILDFLOWERS also shows these as natives to other areas of the eastern part
of the state. I. versicolor is not mentioned.
Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS 7/8
