185 
The Nepalensis Section 
Distribution. From the Western Central Himalaya into Yunnan. 
Bashahr; Shinach to Bhagaut, 1891, Lace (E). 
Darma ; Mulagudh, 1886, Duthic (E). 
Garhwal ; Pindar Valley. 1846 — 49, Strachey and Winterbotham (K) (BM). 
Kumaon ; Kali Valley, 1886, Duthie, nos. 6021 and 6022 (K). 
Dhauli Valley, 1887, Duthie, no. 6023 (BM) (K). 
N. W. Himalaya, 18 — , Thomson, no. 1080 (B). 
Simla, 18 — , Jacquemont, no. 1023 (K) (P) (B). 
1831, Lady Dalhousie (K), C. B. D. (E), 1907 (HortD), 1885, Collett (K). 
Nepal, 1821, Wallich, no. 5049, sub nom. sulcata (K). 
Kanawar, 1847, Hb. Hooker (K). 
Deobun, 1844, Edgeworth (K). 
Khasi Hills, 18 — , Hooker f. and Thomson (BM) (B). 
18 — , Hb. Griffith, no. 5918 (K). 
1 88-, Clarke, no. 43643 (K). 
Shillong, 1885, Clarke (K) (BM). 
Sikkim; above Choongthang ; 6500 ft. 1885, Pantling (K). 
Bhutan, 18—, Griffith, no. 5918 (K). 
Yunnan, 1905, Ducloux, no. 350 (P) (L). 
Yunnan ; Mengtszi, 18 — , Henry, no. 10775 (K). 
Yunnansen, , Maire, nos. 85 and 1533 (E). 
Diagnosis. 
I. nepalensis ; radix fasciculata, tuberibus pluribus, carnosis, more Hemerocallidis composita ; folia 
glauca, basi fibrillis dense vestita, costa media conspicua ; scafus subpedalis, nonnunquam ramosus ; tubus 
1 — 2 pollicaris ; segmenta interiora reflexa. 
Description. 
Rootstock , a small flattened rhizome, hidden in the fibrous remains of old leaves and having attached 
to its under side in the resting state a number (six or more) of 
stout whitish fleshy roots, sometimes tapering gradually and some- 
times swollen near the tip (Fig. 25). 
Leaves , linear-ensiform, acuminate, glaucous at the base, 
ribbed; about 12 in. long at flowering time and afterwards 
increasing to 18 — 24 in. by £ in. The central rib is prominent 
on one face and two ribs on the other. 
Stem, about a foot or 18 in. long, but sometimes less, bearing 
a terminal head of 2 — 3 flowers and often one or more side 
branches ; it also bears 1 — 2 reduced leaves near the base. 
Spathes, usually 2-flowered, long, narrow, acuminate, keeled, 
green. 
Pedicel, ^ in. or less to 1 in. long. 
Ovary , trigonal with slightly concave sides. 
Tube, 1^ — 2^ in. long, slender. 
Falls. The broadly lanceolate blade is hardly separated by 
any constriction from the cuneate haft ; 2 in. long by 1 in. wide. 
The colour is a pale lavender violet produced by pale violet 
veins on a white ground. On the haft the veins are of a distinctly 
reddish purple colour. The central ridge is prominent and much 
waved and sometimes topped with a few threadlike processes. 
At the base it is yellowish brown, passing to yellow at the centre 
and finally to a pale mauvish white on the blade. 
Standards , lanceolate, narrower than the falls and drooping outwards at the same angle ; pale violet 
with indistinct deeper veins. 
Styles , pale violet with irregularly indented edges. 
Crests, large, triangular, standing erect above the falls and standards. 
Stigma , deeply bilobed. 
Filaments, slender, white, faintly tinged with violet. 
Anthers, cream, tinged with violet at the base. 
Pollen, white. 
Capsule, 1 — 1£ in. long, trigonal, tapering to a point at the apex, with deeply grooved sides. 
Seeds, small, rounded, dark brown, each with a whitish strophiole as large as, or larger than, itself. 
Observations. 
This little-known Iris has been the cause of much confusion. In his original description Don places 
it under the heading “ Flores barbatae ” but makes no further mention of any beard. As a matter of fact 
24 
D. 
