241 
IRIS PATTERNS AND TERMS 
From the A. I. S. Bulletin, I quote, “How 
many of you have tried to stand before a 
group and try to explain the meaning of 
the terms amoena, neglecta, variegata. 
plicata, etc.” These terms are familiar to 
the judges and informed growers, but there 
are great numbers of ordinary Iris growers 
to whom they are comparable to a foreign 
language. 
Several such technical terms have been 
eliminated from the current list as obsolete: 
or misapplied, the most familiar having, 
been ‘‘squalens”. But the list of terms 
still retained in our classifications schedules 
will include such names as: amoena, varie- 
gata,, neglecta, bitone, bicolor, plicata, blend 
anl selfs. 
Obviously a self is a flower of one overall 
color and tone the standards and falls being 
identical, with no suggestion of a pattern. 
Amoena, Variegata, Neglecta 
But the next category is a little more in- 
tricate, and therein lies most of the mis- 
understanding. This group includes amoena, 
variegata, and neglecta. The identification 
key to this class is the light color standards, 
with darker falls, and with a border on the 
falls the same color as the standards. 
The variety Wabash is the typical ex- 
ample of the amoenas, with pure white 
standards, ultramarine-blue falls, and an edg- 
ing of white around the falls. 
The next example in this series is re- 
presented by such varieties as City of Lin- 
coln, Gypsy and Mary Vernon. Here the 
same pattern is replaced with yellow color 
in place of the white of amoena; the stan- 
dards being some hue of yellow, the addit- 
ion of yellow producing a reddish or 
maroon falls and with a bright yellow bord- 
er on the falls. 
This type known as variegata is the 
source of all these three patterns, and orig- 
inated from the species I. variegata; this is 
further demonstrated by the fact that the 
progenies of crossing variegata forms with. 
amoena varieties will show a series of all 
types, amoenas, variegatas and neglectas. 
It is understood that normal segretation a- 
mong the progeny eliminates the yellow from 
the variegata type leaving white to produce 
the amoena pattern: 
There are variations upon this theme of 
variegata which produces such things as 
Mexico, Louvois and Shah Jehan until we 
achieve an entire elimation of yellow color 
in combination with an increase of antho- 
cyanin pigment, which is typical in such 
varieties as Amigo and Mme. Maurice Las- 
sailly. These latter are known as neglectas, 
though they are often listed in catalogs ag 
bicolors or bitones. Here the distinguishing 
mark is the presence of a border on the 
falls. 
Bicolors \ 
A bicolor is a flower with two colors, 
the standards showing a different color than 
the falls, and these are very scarce among 
our varieties. On the other hand bitones 
are myried and may come in any color. 
These include theoretically all flowers that 
have different tones of the same color in 
standard and falls, but ordinarilly no dist- 
inction is considered unless the tones are 
quite radically different. 
Plicatas are an interesting group of plants 
and vary widely within this classification. 
Originally plicata meant a flower with a 
white base, with an edging or border of del- 
icate stitching around both standards and 
By Walter Welch, Indiana. 
falls, and the historical example was Mad- 
ame Chereau. This stitching was normally 
of blue or purple color. But recently there 
has been developed numerous variations of 
this stitching which are known under the 
names of stippling, fancies, striatas, etc., 
and they come in various colors with a 
base color of yellow, with markings of tan, 
red, pink, brown and various tones of clear 
blue. I must say that our modern plicatas 
have become quite messy, as they have lost 
much of their clean cut edging, to be re- 
commerce, and the variety King Midas 
was a star among the older blends. Today the 
originations of Kleinorge are among our 
finest specimens, and such varieties as Juliet, 
Bryce Canyon, Argus Pheasant, Chamois are 
considered among our finest specimens. 
But a classification of color and pattern 
types is not a static schedule, new forms 
necessitate a continuous progressive alterat- 
ion. Right now we are contending with 
such things as reverse bicolors as exemplified 
by Pinnacle and Summit, but for the pres- 
ent the.above classes are standard for Irises. 
A Welcome Cordial and Sincere awaits all Friends who enter here 
Wome of the R. O. Powelsons, of St. Joseph, Mo., as shown on their letter head. 
placed with stipples so dense and unrelated 
to an edging that their distinction is greatly 
damaged. The most popular varieties to- 
day are Blue Shimmer, Fire Dance, Con- 
fetti and Tiffanja. 
Plicata Pattern 
The source of the plicata pattern is known 
as the species I. pallida, it is a recessive 
character, and offers a fine field for im- 
provement. 
Blends cover a wide range of variation 
and occasionally overlap into the other 
sections. A blend is a combination of 
anthocyanin pigment and yellow plastic color 
in the same flower; the two colors inter- 
mingling or superimposed upon each other 
in such a manner as to give a blended effect 
We used to call these types “‘squalens” from 
their rather smoky and dull effect. But they 
have been cleared up considerably in mod- 
ern breeding so that they have become quite 
brilliant. At one time the variety Prairie 
Sunset was considered the finest variety in 
CROSS-POLLENATION NECESSARY 
Usually plants, in nature, require to be 
cross-pollenated, with bees or other insects 
being the main means. Plants having any 
other methods for the transference of the 
pollen never have showy flowers. 
Many flowers are entirely sterile with 
pollen from the same flower. Crossing is 
always of advantage. 
SUBSCRIPTION price now $2.00 per year. 
Koelreuteria paniculata 
Here is one of the very best small sized 
deciduous trees in cultivation and ideal for 
the small yard or garden. 
Its yellow flowers are in immense pan- 
icles held well above the leaves and 
produced during June and July. 
The seed should be sown in the fall when 
they will germinate readily in the spring. 
The seeds are Canna-like and thus, if sown 
in the spring, they should be nicked and 
soaked in water 24-48 hours. Those want- 
ing seed, should place their order early in 
the summer so as to be reasonably sure of 
delivery. 
The supply of tree seeds varies so much 
of late years, due to uncertainity of help, 
and early orders will help in making del- 
iveries. 
VITALITY OF SEED QUICKLY LOST 
Seed of certain families, like the Carrot 
family, lose their vitality very rapidly. This 
is also the case with Elms, Maples, Willows 
and some of the Pines and Spruces. These 
should be planted as soon as possible after 
ripening. 
eee 
 — 
RE-BLOOMING IRIS COLLECTION 
We will send you 18 seperate var- 
ieties. all labeled, for ONLY $5.75, 
our selection. This will make an 
attractive group for fal! flowers. 
