Dear Nan,
I wasn't the original poster, I already reacted (negatively) on the
idea, purplish Neomaricas (now all Trimezia) could be considered "small
Iris" (many yellow ones are a lot smaller). Trouble is, depending on the
level of understanding of the genus Iris, there are quite a lot of
images in peoples heads - if one only considers tall bearded or spuria
hybrids, many former Neomaricas could be considered "small". If you're
familiar with many more of the 250+ Iris species, Neomarica could be in
the top third of the spectrum, flower size wise, so "small Iris" isn't a
helpful description at all.
We've learned by now: no classic bulb-like structure attached. That
rules out Moraea and the whole tribe of Tigridieae, both candidates for
"iris-shaped" purple flowers, as well as Iris subgenera Juno/Scopiris,
Xiphium and Hermodactyloides/Reticulatae (which never had "fan-shaped
leaves" anyway). I still think the bamboo iris types from section
Lophiris are the best candidates ("fan on sturdy stem") even though
those are only relatively small compared to tall bearded hybrids. I
guess the Iris shape is defined enough to exclude anything outside
Subfamily Iridoideae, maybe with the exception of Patersonia. Any more
ideas to narrow it down? Dietes and Diplarrena don't have purple species
I'd guess?
Sidenote: Trimezia/Neomarica caerulea isn't common in trade here in
Europe, but there's another easy blue big Trimezia/Neomarica on the
rise, which I guess should be called Trimezia liebmanii. it's a very
recommendable plant and for me the most reliably flowering in the genus.
Martin
Am 22.09.25 um 21:15 schrieb Nan Sterman via pbs:
> Martin initally described a plant with "little" flowers like a small purple iris. If this were if Neomarica caerulea which has iris like flowers - the flowers would be very large, between 4 and 6" across with distinctive brown and white markings. The plants themselves grow 5' tall.
>
> Even the smaller, white blooming species have quite large flowers, 2 to 3" across.
>
> I don't expect the plant in question to be Neomarica.
>
> Dell, I'm surprised to read that N caerulea is common in the trade. Is that the case in WV? It is a rare find in nurseries in So Cal.
>
> Nan Sterman
>
>> On Sep 22, 2025, at 11:47 AM, ds429 via pbs <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote:
>>
>> From the description, I think it must be a "walking iris" (Neomarica ?). It is rather common in the trade because it reproduces so easily from the "propagules" at the ends of the long stalks. It is definitely an irid and, therefore, should be allowed for discussion on this forum. When it blooms, the pretty iris-like flowers have a lovely scent. Dell in a sunny window, WV, USA
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>
> *****************************************
> Nan Sterman, Waterwise Gardener
> Garden Journalist • Author • Speaker
> Gardening Coach • Garden Designer • Horticulture Consultant
>
> 
--
Martin (pronoun: he)
----------------------------------------------
Southern Germany
Likely zone 7a
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