Description
This species was described (Notes from Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1978) by Prof. Naomi Feinbrun-Dothan with further descriptions following The Iris Year Book 1979. Brian Mathew relates the full history of its discovery (some years prior) and naming, in The Iris. Iris regis-uzziae is named after the 742BC King of Judah, Uzziah.
It is a desertic species found on high ground in the Negev and nearby Jordan. The leaves are short and broad and strongly edged with silvery white. After the foliage develops the flowers follow. The Israeli forms have one or two, pale lilac, lilac blue or even greenish flowers with falls about 4cm long. The falls have a broad golden yellow patch and a yellow crest. The Jordanian forms appear to be mostly cream or pale yellow (our form is yellow and is traceable to Jordan originally). Flowering is very early, usually in January or February, which in cultivation in western Europe is a far from ideal time.
Cultivation needs to ensure extremely good drainage and good light in winter (the plant leafs up early) in addition it must have very good air circulation and you should make every effort to keep the foliage dry. Both of these factors are important in preventing rots. It can be grown, in fact it isn’t that difficult if you observe its needs, but this isn’t one for the tyro. No matter how rare, desirable or beautiful it is, love alone will not pull it through when growing conditions are not to its suiting.
Picture of I. regis-uzziae in Israel is by Ori Fragman-Sapir, from Wikimedia, with thanks.
