mystery psammiris?

[Tom Waters]

This little gem opened today. I got it from an Alpine grower in the US, identified only as "Iris sp. ex. Pamir". It seems to be a psammiris, but which one? Iris bloudowii?

[Oron Peri]

Tom
It is too short for bloudowii i would say Iris potaninii although the Pamir is at the edge of its distribution.

[Tom Waters]

Thank you, Oron. Indeed it is only about 5 cm tall.

I've found a number of photos of Iris potaninii (different sources) that match my iris extremely closesly. I'll double-check it against my references, but I think this must be it.

[Maggi Young]

Thank you, Oron. Indeed it is only about 5 cm tall.

 Wow - really short little thing - how charming.

[Lesley Cox]

A delight, small enough for a smallish trough.

[Tom Waters]

Thank you all for your comments! I checked my plant against the botanical description of I. potaninii tonight, and it's a match. Thank you for the suggestion, Oron.

[WimB]

Strange, I saw exactly the same here: http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=1355.msg59606#msg59606 named as Iris flavissima...I guess that name must be wrong.

[Maggi Young]

I think much Iris naming is a confused and confusing as many other plants   

Iris potaninii Maxim. is an accepted name  with these synonyms
Iris flavissima var. rupestris Bunge     
Iris potaninii var. potaninii     
Iris thoroldii Baker ex Hemsl.   

Iris potaninii var. arenaria Doronkin is a synonym of Iris psammocola Y.T.Zhao

Iris potaninii var. potaninii is a synonym of Iris potaninii Maxim.

 

[Tom Waters]

Very interesting! I think Maggi probably hit it on the mark with this:

Iris potaninii Maxim. is an accepted name  with these synonyms
Iris flavissima var. rupestris Bunge

Almost always, I. humilis (I. flavissima) shows clear yellow flowers and definite above-ground stems. I'd welcome more discussion!

[Lesley Cox]

Yes, in the first place I was going to suggest I. humilis but you're right, it should be yellower than yours (butter colour) and perhaps with definite stems, though mine is just about stemless. Rodionenko said a while back that mine could be a hybrid within that little group. I love these very little guys.