It's just about time for Spring and it's a good time to see foliage pigmentation in bearded iris seedlings. Here are two purpureobractea seedlings that are showing some red/purple leaf margin color. Actually this red-margin trait is derived from the pollen parent which is 1/4 Iris suaveolens var. rubromarginata. - a tiny dwarf species known for that pattern of leaf pigmentation.
Below is a sibling with less dramatic leaf margins but considerable basal pigmentation - known as "PBF" (purple based foliage) among iris enthusiasts. The PBF is also primarily coming from the pollen parent. This particular seedling is looking like it has considerable hybrid vigor, evidenced by the broad (at least 1 inch already) foliage on this very young plant. These are presumably diploids (with 24 chromosomes); foliage this broad is more typical of tetraploid Tall Beardeds.
No comments:
Post a Comment