Dear all; Background: The geuns Iris has 6 subgenera. Subgenus Limniris includes most beardless iris and crested iris Crested are in Section Lophiris. There are about a dozen species in this section, but they are very loosely related an not a coheent group. There are a few that ARE mre closely related and 4 species that are include: I japonica I confusa I wattii and I formosana I japonica is VERY common in cultivation and seen as both nearly all white or pale blue color forms(like in Doug's picture). The foliage is semi-glossy and forms fans without ANY visible stem. There are many thin wiry rhizomes that can produce new fans a distance from the main plant. Usually the entire plant (less flower spike) is a foot + in height. I confusa is larger than I japonica in all parts, but is very similar. At bloom it forms a stem beneath the fan of foliage that can reach 2 ft from the ground to the base of the foliage. I have seen this whole plant nearly 4 ft tall excluding flower spike. Flowers are similar to I japonica in pale blue or near white. I wattii is larger still; the stem is both taller and larger in diameter, the foliage is larger too and the whole plant can easily reach 6 feet or more. Flowers are usually more violet and only vaguely like either of the former. Flowers are largest in this group up to 3 inches diameter. I japonica can be grown with protection in Zone 6, same for I confusa, but watti is much more tender and will only flower in a frost-free climate. I wattii is represented in cultivation by a few strains and is really rather uncommon. The picture Doug posted could actually be either I japonica or I confusa. If there is any stem between the soil level and the foliage fan, it is confusa. Does this make it clear? This picture looks fairly accurate, but color might be darker in life. http://www.tomorrowsplants.com/ images/Iris-Wattii.jpg or you can always check out 'Iris of China' with more details. Need I add that these are so often confused by even the biggest botanical gardeners and growers that the name I confusa is very appropriate. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +