Iris kemaonensis is a species whose distribution is much confused with related but distinct species Iris hookeriana. The species I. kemaonensis is reported to occur in Valley of Flowers. Although the active flowering season of the species is June-July, the flowering may extend to August also. The members visiting the area may please keep track of it and get some good photographs to identify it clearly:
1. Photograph showing emergence of flowering stem from ground (is almost absent or short in Kemaonensis, a few cm). 2. Side view of flower to show perianth tube (tube like structure below the perianth lobes). it is 6-8 cm long and emerging from spathe bracts in I. kemaonensis, only 1.5-2.5 cm and hidden in I. hookeriana. You may get additional photograph after removing spathe bracts as I have done in I. variegata to show tube clearly. 3. Both species have bearded line on outer perianth lobes (falls). Some some members get the true picture. -- Dr. Gurcharan Singh Retired Associate Professor SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018. Phone: 011-25518297 Mob: 9810359089 http://www.gurcharanfamily.com/ http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/
