>What an awful name. Could you explain a little deeper about why I. >domestica is the only available name? Dear Dennis et al; It is a fairly convoluted and technical reasoning. Unlike Pardanthopsis which has a valid name in the genus Iris (I. dichotoma), Belamcanda has never been considered as a synonym for Iris before and therefore one has to stretch back for a valid and available combination that has not been used before. The species name 'chinensis' is definitely not available since it has been used invalidly for various other iris species. The name Iris domesticum is actually based on the name Epidendendrum domesticum which dates to Linneaus. He based his name on an illustration by the Asian explorer Kaempfer. Kaempfer had one illustration that showed 2 different plants and he named them both as Epidendrum domesticum in 1712. This name is validly published. The iris is clearly illustrated with typical branching inflorescence. The identity and validity of this name was discussed and confirmed by L.A.Garry in 'De nominibus orchidaceareum incunabulorum' Harvard Pap. Bot 2:47-54 1997. Basically Garry showed that the second plant in Kaempfers illustration (an unidentifiable orchid) could not be assigned the name Epidendrum domesticum making an invalid name in orchid-dom, but still available for the first plant pictured. Linneaus also included Ixia chinensis (now Iris domestica) which later was transferred to the genera Moraea and then to Gemmingia - now all better understood (at least different). Simply stated the name domesticum is the earliest available name that could be applied to this species. I was aware of some of this taxonomic complexity a couple years ago, and heard that the likely name might be Iris pamponinii based on a description dating to 1910. Not that there's a choice, but I'd gladly take domestica. Now isn't it all clear? Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +