Structural Characteristics 149 



There is no flower that during the last few years 

 has been improved more than the Iris. One who has 

 seen only the early forms can have no conception of 

 the marvels of to-day. If the poets of the past, who 

 sang of the Iris as they knew it, could witness the 

 present glories of the hybridizer's art they surely 

 again would attune their lyres and sing in even nobler 

 strains. And what would Thoreau think if he could 

 witness the gorgeousness of the Iris of our day? Of 

 the Blue Flag of the meadows, that now seems dull 

 by comparison, he said 



'Too showy and gaudy, like some women's bonnets." 



FLUCTUATIONS (FREAKS). Ordinarily the segments 

 are simple, but sometimes there is a petal-like growth 

 lengthwise along the center of the upper surface of 

 the blade of one or more of the falls, which gives the 

 flower the appearance of being double. Sometimes, 

 but very rarely, a flower has four to six standards 

 and the same number of falls and of stamens (as, 

 occasionally, Gracchus, Kharput, Queen of May). 

 Environment (air, soil, water, light, temperature) or 

 cultivation, is usually held to account for such multi- 

 plication of parts. 



Through culture 



The flowers turn double, and the leaves turn flowers. 



Browning: Clean. 



