IRIS 
143 
species and do well apparently over a greater climatic range. Cer¬ 
tainly these should be tried in all parts of the Southwest, for they 
are lovely things. 
Recent botanical explorations by Dr. John M. Small'"* have 
brought to light not only new species, but new color-forms in 
known species which are closely related either to fulva or foliosa 
or to versicolor. It is too early to tell how well they will succeed 
under different conditions, but it is certainly well to draw the 
attention of gardeners to the fact that here are not only interesting 
new species from a botanical point of view, but many interesting 
new colors from the garden point of view. The fulva types par¬ 
ticularly run from the usual red color to a deeper crimson on 
one side and yellowish colors on the other. Yet the beautiful species 
fulva is rather sparse blooming under most garden conditions. It 
is, however, well worthy of a place in any garden, no matter how 
small, because it is so absolutely unique in its color, its terra cotta 
red being very seldom seen in out-door flowers. The possibilities 
of this species are only just beginning to be appreciated by plant 
breeders. 
While botanists are disagreeing among each other as to which 
of these plants deserves specific rank and which are varieties, it is 
interesting for gardeners to know that Dr. George M. Reedf, and 
probably other breeders, have produced many of the color similar 
to those on the flowers Dr. Small has found wild, by growing sec¬ 
ond generation seedlings of the hybrid Dorothy A. Williamson. 
It looks as if we were just beginning to understand what valuable 
wild species we have in this country and to make use of them 
for plant breeding. Some of these types undoubtedly grow as far 
west as Texas, but if they are not found wild in certain sections, 
they should at least be tried there in gardens. 
There are many native American beardless Irises. The California 
group, often admired by visitors to the Yosemite, are apparently 
hardy along the Atlantic Coast, but are most difficult garden 
plants, as they resent any disturbance of their roots. They should 
always be grown from seed, therefore, and planted where they 
are to stay. They are certainly not plants for the casual garden, 
New 
Specie 
Fulva 
Specific 
Rank in the 
New Specie 
Pacific 
Coast 
* New York Botanical Garden. 
tBrooklyn Botanical Garden. 
