Jim, Paul, at first I thought you were both nuts, I tectorum! Oops, wrong picture! Not even from the wiki. I still haven't learned to deal with downloading from multiple sites. However, seeing the correct picture, this is a much deeper blue than the tectorum I once tried to grow (not at all hardy in Cologne.) Also, the crest is pretty discrete. I may well have had a hybrid, it was a garden centre plant, not from a specialist. As to the name roof iris, I once read and have since heard, the Japanese planted this iris (the Chinese may well have started it), as well as I. japonica around forts and on rooves to prevent a good grip with your boots! The slippery leaves were seen as a defense against attack from marauding Samauri, etc! That said, I can't see it surviving Tokyo winters! Maybe it was a southern thing? Jamie V. Cologne ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Waddick" <jwaddick@kc.rr.com> To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 4:21 PM Subject: Re: [pbs] Another Mystery Bulb > >A new picture of an Iris seen in last week in bloom by Jana Ulmer > >needs identification. It is gorgeous: > >http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/… > > > >Mary Sue > > Dear Jana/Mary Sue and all; > So common in China that it's common name is simply "Iris". > This is a typical Iris tectorum. Although commonly known in the US as > Japanese Roof Iris, it is neither native to Japan or typically found > on roofs. > > It is a crested Iris (Lophiris) easy from seed and also > available in a lovely white form. Widely adaptable and may grow in > shade and sun in a variety of climates. In bloom ere now, too. > > 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 + > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php >
