2/4 IRIDE/E. 



flower-stems are from 4 to 6 inches high, each bearing only 

 one flower of a deep purphsh blue, the inner petals being much 

 smaller than the outer ones. Very well adapted for the front 

 lines of borders and beds, or for rockwork, and succeeds best 

 in deep, well-drained, light, sandy loam. Native of Siberia. 

 Flowers in May. 



I. sambucina {Elder-scented I ^) — This is a large-growing rhizo- 

 matous species in the way of the German I., but considerably 

 more vigorous. The flower-stems reach the height of 3 or more 

 feet, bearing numerous stalkless flowers. The leaves are broad, 

 bright green, and sword-shaped. The flowers are dull purple. 

 The segments are nearly equal in size, and the inner ones are 

 notched at the points. Flowers in May and June. Native of 

 southern Europe. 



I. sibirica {Hollow-stemmed I) — This species grows about 

 2 or 2 3^ feet high. The leaves are narrow, linear, and sharply 

 pointed. The stems bear several flowers, and are hollow. The 

 outer petals are largest, and all are blue, with deeper nettings 

 of the same colour. Flowers in May and June. Native of 

 Switzerland, Alsace, southern Germany, and Siberia. 



I. susiana {Chalcedonian I.) — This is a splendid and distinct 

 species of the rhizomatous section. It grows about 2 feet high. 

 The flowers are very large ; the inner petals are largest, the 

 outer ones very much deflexed, and all are blue and very dis- 

 tinctly netted with deep-brown lines. The flowers appear in 

 April and May. Native of the Levant. Very impatient of 

 stagnant moisture, and will not long live in cold wet localities 

 everywhere ; it should have a warm sunny position. 



I. tenax {Tough-leaved I.) — This is a dwarf species, rarely 

 exceeding i foot high. The leaves are tough, and the whole 

 plant is rather rigid. The flowers are large; the petals unequal 

 in size, the outer being the largest, and spreading. They are 

 purple, and the outer ones have a large blotch of white or 

 yellowish white at the base. Flowers in April and May. Native 

 of North America. 



I. tuberosa {Snakes-head I.) — A handsome species of the 

 tuberous or bulbous section. The leaves are triangular or four- 

 angled. The flower-stems grow about 9 inches high, bearing 

 each only one flower. The inner segments of the flower are blue, 

 the outer deep purple and green. Flowers in March and April. 

 Native of France and Italy. The plant is very fond of peat 

 or well-decomposed leaf-mould well sharpened with sand, and 

 enjoys a warm position, and is a very good pot-plant, and as 

 such an excellent ornament of the greenhouse, but will not 

 endure much forcing. 



