Hmmm. Maybe species names like "byzantinus" and "italicus" should have been a tip off. I still would like to know how they got there and if there are still any species in between, geographically. Dell -----Original Message----- From: Dell Sherk [mailto:dells@voicenet.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:15 PM To: 'Pacific Bulb Society' Subject: RE: [pbs] Glads from Georgia Boyce wrote: "We have some wild collected Gladiolus taxa from Republic of Georgia but the corms (from seed) have not gotten large enough to test them outdoors. Then, of course, we have a bumper crop of chipmunks that seen to prefer bulbs of know wild origin - which is another reason they haven't gone out yet." I am amazed to find out that there are Gladiolus spp native to Rep of Georgia. I don't remember your telling us about them in your presentation in Chicago on Georgian flora, but I miss a lot. I'll have to do some investigation. I am aware that some irids (romulea, e.g.) have species native to South Africa and again to the Mediterranean area. But there are no longer, I think, any romuleas in between. Georgia is a long way from South Africa. Are there any gladiolus species native to areas in between? I think this subject of bio-geography, or whatever it's called, is fascinating. It reveals hints about climate changes and continental drift. Dell, in SE PA where we are having a nasty, cold and windy day, though it is sunny. March sure did come in like a lion this year. Crocus ancyrensis, chrysanthus cvs, and some others, Eranthis hyemalis, and Galanthus elwesii are in bloom but not happy. Où sont les neiges d'antan?