Exelic ARIL IRIS fy 
The Arils are so named because these alone, of all the Iris, have seeds with 
prominent white arils, or collars. Sometimes called ‘‘The White Collar Iris’’. 
Famed ONCOCYCLUS - Orchid-Iris of Palestine 
Initial Offerings of Irisdom’s Most Coveted Species 
In the three centuries since the landing of the Pilgrims, the Western World has 
never had an opportunity to become acquainted with the wealth of diverse and fascinat- 
ing species of Oncocyclus Iris that occur in various parts of Palestine and surrounding 
countries. After noting the tremendous advancement in the forms and colorings of 
Iris that have been produced as descendants of Mr. Mohr’s one original cross of 
Parisiana with the Onco Gatesii and named William Mohr, we have felt that it is high 
time that American hybridizers are given the long-awaited opportunity of making 
fresh starts by crossing various Onco species with Bearded Iris. 
Consequently, during the last few years, we have devoted much time and effort 
and no little expense, to the direct air importation of all possible true Onco species. 
Our collection has now reached 20 distinct species. Except for Susiana and Atro- 
purpurea, all are available as yet on this side of the world in only very meager quan- 
tities. But our policy calls for releasing these to our customers as soon as we have a 
few rhizomes that we can spare. Below you will find seven species of Oncos, most of 
which have never before been offered on this side of the Atlantic. If you have seen 
Susiana you will have just a hint of what the other more colorful Oncos hold in store 
for you. Practically all Oncos produce pollen in great abundance. Air Mail is none too 
fast for an order for any of these. Rhizomes naturally rather small, bulb-like. 
Iris fanciers and hybridizing enthusiasts will be interested in knowing that in the 
years to come we hope to be able to catalog the following Onco species, some of 
which are at present represented in our garden by only one small rhizome, probably 
the only one in the Western Hemisphere: Lortetii, Gatesii, Samariae, Hauranesis, 
Helenae, Aphrodite, Auranitica and Tel-Aviv. 
SEASON ABBREVIATIONS, from earliest to latest spring: EE, VE, E, EM, M, ML, L 
and VL. The stars after the names and the underlines, are explained on page 10. 

ONCOCYCLUS: Susiana 
BARNUMAE (Crimson Iris) *** $15.00 
Even the scattered few among our readers who have seen some Onco 
besides Susiana probably have never seen a red one. But here it is, the 
reddest of all the Oncos that have bloomed for us to date—a dark vina- 
ceous crimson, with a large pure black signal patch and striking black 
beard. A smooth coloring, without the conspicuous veins or dots that 
characterize most Oncos. A real rarity from the region between Egypt 
and Palestine. E—10” to 12’. 
NAZARENA (Nazareth Iris) *** $25.00 
A magnificent and very beautiful species from hills surrounding the 
Holy City of Nazareth. Standards white, veined in lilac and stippled in 
purple; falls cream, embossed with stipplings and veins of maroon, cin- 
namon or crimson. Blooms in March and April in its native habitat. 
Among the rarest of the rare Oncos, and the one most highly praised by 
our collectors in Palestine. VE—9” to 12”. 
BISMARCKIANA (Bismarck Iris) ** $10.00 
Dykes states that this is the closest of all Oncos to the famous Lortetii, 
though of a somewhat different coloring, which is wholly different from 
Susiana. Standards appear sky-blue, due to numerous blue veins on a 
creamy white ground, becoming creamy brown below. Falls brown, with 
a yellowish ground-work showing at the edge. Beard violet-black on a 
yellow ground. Signal patch triangular, velvety black. Since the falls 
have a distinct yellow cast, we forsee that this may be much more ef- 
fective than Susiana as one parent in producing that clear yellow with the 
Lady Mohr form of which so many have dreamed. April and May—9"’. 
HAYNEI (Hayne’s Iris) *** $7.50; 3 for $20.00 
Perhaps the most variable of all Oncos in coloring, and one offering un- 
believable possibilities. Our collectors in Palestine have reported finding 
pure pink forms, solid black types, and cream colored variations. Our 
plantings are so new that only one plant among the several we received 
has as yet flowered, and we will describe this for you, but the other 
plants from which some of the rhizomes we send out will come, may be 
almost any color imaginable, and sure to be highly exciting. If you order 
3, will take each rhizome from a different plant. The one that bloomed 
had enormous flowers of very unique form. The standards were arched 
and gently waved, yet somewhat separate, giving a novel 3-pointed 
effect. Standards were bright light mulberry; falls intense blackish red, 
with a pure black signal patch. One of the tallest and certainly the 
most vigorous-growing of all Oncos. Also, a rapid increaser, which is why 
it is not among the highest priced of our offerings. E—18”. 
NIGRICANS (Black Iris) *** $5.00; 3 for $12.50 
Of all the Oncos we have bloomed this has attracted more attention than 
any other. Everyone tells his neighbor about it, and it is not long before 
they appear, saying: ‘We hear you have a black Iris; may we see it?”’ 
As yet no Tall Bearded Iris can compete with the Black Iris for sheer 
blackness; but after seeing this, one can easily visualize a tall and grace- 
ful ‘‘Lady Mohr’’ in stunning ebony-black. Will you be the one to pro- 
duce it? Standards are violet-black, brightening to glossy red-purple at 
the center; falls dark violet-black, with a conspicuous large black signal 
patch, the blackest we have ever seen in any flower. Beard bronzy- 
black. Blooms in April in its native home in the Moab district of Trans- 
Jordan, east of the Dead Sea. E—17”. 

HOOGIANA (Blue Regelia) 
ATROPURPUREA (Crimson-Black Iris) * $3.95; 3 for $9.95 
A wondrous Iris, variable, often almost as black as Nigricans, but more 
tinged with crimson. Signal patch intense, velvety black. Beard yellow, 
as in the area directly under it. One of the parents of that choice 
bronzy Oncogelia Charon and of other interesting hybrids. See what 
you can produce by crossing it with the Regelias, or perhaps with Bearded 
Iris. Though we offer many striking kinds of Iris, we doubt if any at 
this price will stop visitors in their tracks as this will. Blooms in March 
in the wilds near Gaza, where Samson is credited with destroying the 
temple and burying the multitude. EE—18”. 
SUSIANA (Mourning Bride Iris) $2.00; 3 for $5.00; 6 for $8.95 
Enchanting and wondrous is this immigrant from half-way around the 
world, as you may see from our illustration. The startling effect is that 
of a marvelous color symphony in silver and black. Enormous globular 
flowers. An abundant producer of pollen. One of the parents of Luna and 
Fair Enough. Quite hardy, but may need some protection in coldest areas. 
If you can’t make your neighbors Oh! and Ah! with this, they’re hope- 
less. We get more letters asking for SUSIANA or Mourning Iris, than 
any Iris in our catalog, and it gives us no little satisfaction to be able 
this year to reduce the price for the third year in succession. Now we 
have it down to where everyone can enjoy its exotic charm. VE—16”. 
ONCOCYCLUS COLLECTIONS 
PALESTINIAN PILGRIMAGE: Nazarena, Bismarckiana, Haynei, Nigri- 
cans and Atropurpurea, a $51.45 Value for $45.00 
HYBRIDIZER’S OPPORTUNITY: Haynei, Nigricans, Atropurpurea and 
Susiana, an $18.45 Value for 
REGELIAS—Continued from Opposite Page 
$1.00; 3 for $2.00; 6 for $3.00 
Very distinct from Korolkowi and Stolonifera as this is a smooth blue 
self, without veining. Like lustrous satin, varying from pale lilac blue 
to Oxford blue, set off by a bright golden beard. A species of fairly 
recent discovery, not known to Dykes when he wrote his monumental 
“Genus Iris’’, and not included in the latest edition of Bailey’s ‘’Cyclo- 
pedia of Horticulture’. Discovered in isolated portions of Southern 
Turkestan, not far from the almost mythical Tibet. Think what a thrill to 
be able to grow this treasured newcomer in your Own garden. 
This is so lovely and in such demand that we imported a huge quantity 
at a material saving. Note how we pass the savings on to you, for these 
are lower prices than we have ever before been able to offer any Regelias. 
It will pay you to get half a dozen and divide them with your neighbors. 
Think what choice yet inexpensive gifts they will make for your garden- 
ing friends. E—24". 
HOOGIANA PURPUREA (Purple Regelia) * $1.50; 3 for $3.75 
Heretofore only the typical form of Hoogiana has been available, but now 
for the first time we are able to offer a few plants of this striking variant 
—a rich, royal purple self, with a deeper purple signal patch and a yellow 
beard. Entirely different from any other known Regelia. E—24”’. 

“Flowers belong to fairyland; the flowers, the birds and the butterflies are all that the world has kept 
of its golden age—the only perfectly beautiful things on earth.,’—OUIDA. 
