REF:Species Identification Guides (was I. Hoogiana 'Late Amythest')
- Subject: REF:Species Identification Guides (was I. Hoogiana 'Late Amythest')
- From: K* W*
- Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 21:08:26 -0700
Bill,
The book I use mostly now is "A Guide to Species Iris Their Identification
and Cultivation" Edited by The Species Group of the British Iris Society.
I'm not sure why it is so expensive (Amazon.com lists it for $120), but I'd
suggest it if your buget allows. It occationaly even includes pointers for
distinguishing similar looking species. There is a nice set of pictures in
the back but the set is far from complete.
A slightly older book that is now out of print is Brian Mathew's
"The Iris". There is used copy listed through Amazon.com for $17
and you can probably get used copies elsewhere. This is the book
to go for if your buget is more limited.
Fritz Kohlein's "Iris" is sometimes criticized for containing too many
errors, but I still feel it is worth having. It has quite a few pictures.
I believe it is also out of print.
The American Iris Society sells "The World of Irises". It's a good book
but not really a species identification guide. I do reference it occationally.
A fun book to have is the reprint of Dykes "The Genus Iris". The content
is almost 90 years old, but much of the information is still applicable,
though parts of the genus have be reorganized since then. It contains
a set of very nice water colors! If your buget is very large, I understand
that copies of the original are sometimes on the market for rather
large sums of money.
There are other books that cover parts of the genus. "Iris of China"
by James W. Waddick and Zhao Yu-tang is one. I really like this book,
but it is a little difficult for me to use for identification. The descriptions by
Zhao Yu-tang are scientific and a bit challenging for me to wade
through; I'm more into computer science than botany. Jim Waddick's
part of the book is informational but not really meant for identification.
This book has a nice set of photos in the front and botanical line
drawings with the descriptions.
The Society for Pacific Coast Natives has an identification guide.
I joined the Society several months ago, but I haven't bought the
guide yet; it is supposed to be the best guide for those speceis.
If other people have recomendations for identification guides
I'd like to hear about them!
Ken
Bwardwelliii wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Could you recommend the names of a few iris identification guides for me
> please. I am interested in those that would (of course) have photos.
> Thanks.
>
> Bill
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