Fw: Shilka orchid iris
James Waddick (Tue, 04 Jul 2006 15:28:02 PDT)

Dear Fred;
I did some research here and meant to reply earlier.
UNfortunately it beats me. I can locate Shilka, but no
orchid-like iris - Maybe I. laevigata with a large and more purple
flower. Not much. Jim W.

ps - Now I see your ID as I dichotoma. Although the typical flowers
are sort of 'orchid' in color, they are among the smaller iris
flowers native there. There are numerous flowers per stalk and held
high above the foliage in mid-summer at a time when no other iris is
likely to be blooming. They are very hardy. I have seen them in Inner
Mongolia in abundance.

--
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 +