Re: Iris sambucina

In a message dated 97-03-10 17:49:38 EST, you write:

<< There is a picture on page 184 and if there is nothing very similar to
 sambucina I think that is what I have.  Kohlein says "somewhat dingy
 blossoms" and that is the case.  Could I have iris sambucina?  Would it be
in
 a garden in upstate New york.  It has persisted through years of neglect on
 this property growing in fields.  It is not "pretty" but is immensely
healthy
 and requires no division.  I wonder why it was grown when other more comely
 irises have always been around?
 
 I have plenty to spare.
  >>
Claire, It is quite possible that the iris you have is SAMBUCINA, or Iris
sambucina as it was known in former times.  This iris was among the first
bearded irises brought to Colonial America.  In the 18th century it was
thought to be a species.  Since the time of the Frenchman deBure (1830's) it
has been known that this iris is a hybrid of some combination of I. pallida
and I. variegata, and not a true species.   It is a very vigorous iris. If
your iris is the true SAMBUCINA it will have a  strong fragrance of the
elder, since that is how it got its name (i.e. the Latin name of the elder
genus is Sambucus in the same family as the honeysuckle).  It is a classic
historic iris.  Clarence Mahan in VA
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