People breed irises with unusual characteristics. One beautiful mutation appears on these irises, where the usual oval fuzzy "beard" has been replaced by a blue feathery curl, emerging from the center of the plant and opening up on the lower petals. In fact many of the varieties of German bearded iris could not survive and reproduce in an uncontrolled natural environment, since they cannot be pollinated by ordinary insects such as bees and butterflies because the flowers are too large and the creatures can't reach the pollen parts. People do the pollination, thus enhancing evolution. The variety with the feathery blue curls is called "Skyhooks."
"Sky Light Iris" is watercolor on illustration board, 10" x 7", fall 1992.
No comments:
Post a Comment