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....A complete lengthwise fusion of a petal with the pedicel and ovary which compelled the flower to assume a position at right angles to the axis has been observed. Finally, a regular twisting of the stem and the appearance of axiliary bulblets has been noted in Iris germanica.

....The causes of these various monstrosities remain obscure. However, it appears that many are attributable to disorders arising from long cultivation and repeated crossings. Objections have been raised that monstrous flowers are seen in plants growing side by side as well as among those grown under conditions differing in dryness or humidity, but there is no serious argument there.
.... From the lack of observed monstrosities in the Juno, Oncocyclus, and Regelia groups and their hybrids, it can not be concluded that hybridity does not play a role in their origin, not as Mendelian inheritance, but in a manner similar to nutritive disorders.
....As for viewing it as a mutation, as has been suggested, that may perhaps be the exact explanation when it concerns an Iris plicata Mme Chéreau with wholly deformed flowers, but it is certainly not probable in all the cases in which the same plant carries both normal flowers and monstrosities.
....From the horticultural point of view it is quite evident that the Irises with double flowers, those of Clematis form, and the variegated ones are the only ones which offer any interest.

LIST OF IRIS SPECIES AND VARIETIES IN WHICH MONSTROSITIES HAVE BEEN OBSERVED

Iris aphylla nudicaulis (Armitage) (1).
Bakeriana (Armitage).
coelestis (Vilmorin).
Delavayi (Armitage).
florentina alba (Armitage).
foliosa (= hexagona Lamancei) (Armitage).
germanica (Mottet, Vilmorin).
clarissima (Vilmorin).
Clematis (Cayeux).
Crépuscule (Vilmorin).
Dorothée (Vilmorin).
Edouard Michel (Mottet, Armitage).

(1). The names of those who made the observation are within brackets.
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