Iris rosenbachiana

Iris rosenbachiana is thought to be in the same 'physocaulon' group of junos, along with Iris kopetdagensis, Iris leptorhiza, Iris popovii, Iris nicolai, Iris baldschuanica and Iris zaprjagajevii. They all have short thick storage tubers which come to a point, and they have an extra side bulb in addition to the bulb which produces the flowers and leaves. It has deeply sweet scented flowers. It has between 1–3 flowers per stem, but it can also flower in March in USDA Zone 7 gardens. In the UK, it blooms between March and April. deep rich purple, It has small down-turned rich purple standards and reddish purple falls, each with an orange, or yellow ridge or crest in the centre. It has yellow-orange pollen. This iris has a seed that has an aril. ==Taxonomy==

It is sometimes known as the Spinster iris. It was first published by Regel in 'Trudy Imperatorskago St. Peterburgskago Botaniceskago Sada' Vol3 in 1884. The specific epithet rosenbachiana is derived from that of the Russian governor of Turkestan where the bulb was found, Nikolai Rozenbakh (1804 – 1889). Iris rosenbachiana is now the accepted name by the RHS, it was verified by United States Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service on 3 October 2014. ==Native==

Iris rosenbachiana is found in Central Asia, ==Cultivation==

This species is similar to Iris nicolai both in cultural requirements and form. It prefers to grow in well-drained soils, that have a stony composition including dolomitic lime dust. They like summer drought and well ventilated positions. It is difficult to grow outside in the UK, so best cultivated in an alpine house or bulb frame. ==Known Cultivars==

• Iris rosenbachiana 'Harangon' - large white flowers • Iris rosenbachiana 'Tovil Dara' - dark purple flowers from Tovil Dara town in Tajikistan. • Iris rosenbachiana 'Varzob' - cream coloured flowers from Tajikistan. ==References==

• Czerepanov, S. K. Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR). 1995 (L USSR) • Khassanov, F. O. & N. Rakhimova 2012. Taxonomic revision of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) for the flora of Central Asia (Stapfia) 97:179. • Komarov, V. L. et al., eds. Flora SSSR. 1934-1964 (F USSR) • Mathew, B. The Iris. 1981 (Iris) 164. • Rechinger, K. H., ed. Flora iranica. 1963- (F Iran) ==External links==