Dear all; The traditional rumor is that the Japanese imported this Chinese species centuries ago. Japense women in feudal ages used the finely ground rhizome to make a very pale make-up (think Geisha). During a later war period, all farmers were forced to use every inch of growable land to produce food and it was illegal to waste 'land' on this plant. The sly women planted this iris in the thatched roofs of their country homes to make the rhizome available. It was during this period that European botanical explorers first observed the iris and thus called it the "Japanese Roof" Iris, although it is neither a native of Japan or a usual denizen of roofs. This is one reason why common names are so mis-leading. Anyway the story may be just rumor, but intriguing. I have seen literally thousands of plants of this species in the wild and in cultivation and seen only minor differences in color from the typical blue-violet. Various named varieties push minor differences that may be due to cultivation only. 'Burma Form' is one of these and there are others; 'Freckles' is said to have more and larger spots. Except for the White form "alba', I don't think any of these variations amounts to much. The literature suggest a pink form, but it hasn't been 'seen' (if it really ever existed) in decades. Incidentally I tectorum is one of the few (only?) beardless iris to have a known hybrid with a bearded species. This hybrid is called 'Paltec' and is 1/2 I pallida. Other supposed hybrids have been registered, but they seem to be highly speculative too. I'd love to see or hear of anyone with a truly different I. tectorum. But it is a very nice iris, widely adaptable and worthy of most gardens. 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 +