Dear All; I collected and introduced this iris from, E. China over 15 years ago. It has never been offered commercially, but I am arranging same in the next year or two. Here's a bit I wrote for Iris City Garden in TN. It is possibly related to Spuria Irises, I. foetidissima, Syriacae Irises and perhaps some reticulatas. I have given it the uninspired cv name of 'Snake Bane' and registration with AIS is in progress. Slightly edited " 'Snake Bane' is the first named and registered clone of Iris anguifuga, a Chinese native iris. This species has had medicinal and mystical qualities appreciated by the Chinese possibly for centuries, but only described and named recently. The plant produces a single spuria-like bloom in mid spring. Shortly after the flower fades, seeds are produced and the foliage quickly goes dormant my last spring. In myth, the apparent 'weakness of the foliage' allows snakes to appear in the garden (come out of dormancy). The plant has no obvious foliage all summer. In late fall, the plant produces a few short evergreen growths, but this iris fan is 'strong' enough to force snakes back into their winter hibernation. Foliage remains evergreen even in temps to 0 F and snakes are kept at bay, thus the name 'Snake Bane'. The cycle repeats each year as the plant goes dormant and snakes appear again in late summer. The Chinese believe that planting this iris around homes and gardens will keep snakes away. A poultice made from mashed roots is applied to snake bite and may even be taken internally although no medicinal benefits are suggested. The iris is unique in many ways. It is the only species to have a single bract beneath its flower (all others have at least 2) and the unusual rhizome is close to a 'missing link' between rhizome and bulb. In active growth a thick woody rhizome supports the thin foliage, but after a summer's dormancy the rhizome may shrink back to a near bulb-like form with a single growing point. The flower has narrow spoon shaped falls of purple violet and matching standards of thin upright form. Although a single flower does not have garden impact, a clump in bloom is distinctive for its form and bloom habit. The seed capsule is unique with a long pointed tip. Iris anguifuga 'Snake Bane' was collected in China and has been vegetatively propagated from a single rhizome in Zone 5 where it has proven totally hardy with no mulch and bloomed yearly in half a day's sun and unmodified garden soil. While some may consider this a 'collector's ' iris it has interesting potential in breeding with spuria and other iris. This is the first commercial offering of a rare, unusual and intriguing iris species. " Any questions? Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +