re: the plant swap thread

Will a loquat grown from seed flower and fruit or is loquat usually a grated tree?

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found a huge stand of blue irises in a ditch on 190 past Robert. Took a bunch and there’s thousands more if anyone’s interested

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I want to interrupt the plant swap thread with something you may be interested in.

The podcast "In Defense of Plants" did an episode on Louisiana Irises that was interesting.

In Defense of Plants blog post about them

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The Abbeville iris (Iris nelsonii) is a very special plant. It is the rarest of the so-called “Louisiana Irises” and can only be found growing naturally in one small swamp in southern Louisiana. If you are lucky, you can catch it in flower during a few short weeks in spring. The blooms come in a range of colors from reddish-purple to nearly brown, an impressive sight to see siting atop tall, slender stems. However, the most incredible aspect of the biology of this species is its origin. The Abbeville iris is the result of hybridization between not two but three different iris species.

When I found out I would be heading to Louisiana in the spring of 2019, I made sure that seeing the Abbeville iris in person was near the top of my to-do list. How could a botany nut not want to see something so special? Iris nelsonii was only officially described as a species in 1966. Prior to that, many believed hybridization played a role in its origin. Multiple aspects of its anatomy appear intermediate between other native irises. It was not until proper molecular tests were done that the picture became clear.

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There is much more at the link.


In Defense of Plants podcast episode about them

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The Louisiana irises are a group of 6 wetland species native to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and other Gulf states. These irises are as interesting as they are beautiful, but in recent decades, many have forgotten the role they play in wetland ecology. Coupled with wanton destruction of their wetland habitats, these irises and the ecosystems to which they belong are in desperate need of more love and attention. That is where people like Gary Salathe and the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative come into play. Join me and Gary as we discuss what he and others are doing to not only ensure these irises have a future on our planet but also help to restore the wetlands they need to survive.

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Now, back to your regularly scheduled thread.

good stuff, thanks!
the ones I pilfered are in front of one of the few vacant lots remaining in that area. Soon enough they’ll get bulldozed

there was one last blue flower within the stand