Watsonia meriana iridifolia O’Brieni.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 39

Watsonia meriana iridifolia O’Brieni.

It took botanists many years to make out the true 'botanical characters and affinities of this plant, and consequently we find that its history is burdened with a number of names. W-at-onia as a genus is closely allied to Gladiolus, and seme regarded it as allied to Antholyza. Indeed, the species was figured in the •‘Botanical Magazine,’’ as Antholyza meriana. the name having Wen origin ally given it by Linnaeus. As far a* the vigour of the plant is concerned, and the size of the leaves, number and size of the flowers, the variety W. M. iridifolia takes a leading place amongst varieties, and at the prest nt day is more extensively cultivated than any other. Mr. J. G. Baker describes thi* variety as having pink or white flowers, and Mr. Nicholson, in his ‘ Dictionary of Gardening.” simply descril>es it a* white without any modification. In gardens two other names have been added namely. \V. m. i. Ardernei. r.nd W. in. i. O’Brien. The bulbs are of the easiest possible culture.