The Reticulata Section 
225 
Synonym. 
I. reticulata van sophenensis , Foster in Gard. Chron. 1885, I. p. 470; ’Bulbous Irises, pp. 7 and 58, 
fig- 35 (1892). 
Distribution. The neighbourhood of Amasia, whence it was sent to Foster by Miss Wright of the 
American Mission. 
For specimens, see I. histrio, p. 223. 
Diagnosis . 
/. histrioides Xiphion ; I. histrioni similis sed folia sub anthesin brevissima, segmenta exteriora 
patentia, interiora erecta. 
Description and Observations. 
I. histrioides is obviously closely allied to I. histrio , and is nearer to that species in its method 
of increase (see p. 220) than to I. reticulata. It differs from I. histrio by the fact that the bud 
appears almost, if not quite, as soon as the leaves pierce the soil, by the less turbinate flowers, of 
which the falls extend their haft horizontally, and also by the colouration. The main effect is blue of 
varying shades, but usually not so deep as some specimens of I. histrio. The solid colour at the 
edge of the blade forms, however, a much wider band in I. histrioides , so that only a relatively small 
triangular patch about the end of the narrow orange yellow crest is white, dotted with large or small 
blue spots. The standards are erect, of the same shade of blue as the falls. 
The foliage is very stout and larger in diameter than that of any other member of the Reticulata 
section. 
t I. Vartan 1 
Foster in Gard. Chron. 1885, I. 438. 
•Bot Mag. t. 6942 (1887). 
•Foster in Bulbous Irises, pp. 10 and 61 (1892). 
•Temple, FI. Palest, t. 14 (1907). 
Distribution. Palestine, perhaps only in the neighbourhood of Nazareth but I cannot separate from the 
type a specimen from Mt Tannar (Jerusalem), 1861, Roth (V). 
Nazareth, 1884, Vartan (K). 
[This specimen was sent by Ewbank in 1886, who obtained it through Foster from Dr Vartan 
of Nazareth, after whom the plant was named.] 
Diagnosis. 
/. Vartani Xiphion ; I. histrioni proxima sed cristae stylis subaequilongae. 
Description. 
Rootstock , a bulb with netted coats, of a more pointed oval shape than those of /. reticulata and 
I. histrio. 
Leaves , with four unequal sides and a colourless homy point, each bulb sending up two leaves of 
unequal length, of which the longer is 8—9 in. long at the flowering time, finally about 18 inches. 
Stem, none or very short. 
Spathe valves , 2^ — 3 in. long, white, thickly veined with green, narrow, not keeled. 
Pedicel, very short at first, but afterwards growing and forcing the ripe capsule above the surface 
of the ground. 
Ovary , cylindrical. 
Tube , 2—3 in. long, slender, cylindrical, of a pale greenish yellow. 
Falls , with a narrow cuneate haft and a lanceolate blade. The ground colour is white, closely 
covered with lavender or lilac veins, which become confluent near the margin. The median yellow 
ridge along the haft develops into a thin, low, yellow crest, which becomes wavy and almost tuberculate, 
and marked with blackish dots. 
Standards. Blade narrowly lanceolate, with long canaliculate haft, of a dull slaty blue, with 
faint veins. ,111 
Styles, short, very convex, broader than the haft of the fall, of a slaty lavender colour. 
Crests, longer than the styles and very narrow. 
Stigma, bifid. 
Filaments, white, expanding at the base. 
Anthers , dark lavender, longer than the filaments. 
Pollen, pale lavender, of the pointed double oval shape of that of I. reticulata. 
Capsule , narrow, rounded trigonal, almost cylindrical. 
Seeds, of the reticulata type. 
Fragrance, very distinct, recalling that of almonds. 
29 
D. 
