This is a mystery to me, something I havn't seen before but pehaps someone can provide and expanation or ID for this one. It is all of fifteen inches tall and the fan is less than half that. You can see other standard boarder bearded fans behind. I'm very intrigued.

Hi Leslie. Is it possible that this plant was hit with Round Up? Round Up doesn't kill Irises -- but it sure makes blooms look odd.

I would guess Round-Up is at fault. It does resemble the flat iris Rythm.

I would guess Round-Up is at fault. It does resemble the flat iris Rhythm. Double posted......

Thank You Mary Ann and Paul. Round up may be a possiblility as we use it on the "Bermuda Grass". It does resemble Iris 'Rythm' though we have not grown it to my knowledge. I'll have to double check with everyone and see what the other Iris around it do. We have had one other Iris, last year that all had one extra fall. Thanks.

Interesting what chemicals can do...

I think it's pretty anyway!

It is intriguing to look at. I don't think it is Rythym though because it only has 3 beards (Rythym has 6).

Almost like a species. I like them, too.

I was thinking species too Celia. It has had several blooms and they are all opening the same way. Would Roundup affect every bloom like that?

I don't think it's a mutated Rhythm....style arms aren't colored the same. As far as all the blooms being affected...I would think, if it's the "growing point" on the rhizome that was exposed to the chemical (causing the mutation) all the blooms on that stalk would be affected.It does appear to be an "older" iris, but, again it's hard to say how much the "mutation" may have affected it's genetics....so a "throwback would , or could ,be possible...I would think. Good news is it *should* "grow out of it", next season. If it "DOSEN'T".....well, you have a "new" one to register, I guess !!

How would that be registered? "Unknown x Round-up Overspray"?

Lestv said:Would Roundup affect every bloom like that?

Yes, generally when you see irises that have been affected by Roundup (glyphosate), every flower on a given stalk will be damaged. However, you can have situations where only some stalks in a given clump are affected. It depends on when and where the exposure to the chemical occurred.

For what it's worth, Roundup doesn't cause "mutations" in plants. It's an enzyme inhibitor that prevents plants from producing certain amino acids they need to grow and live. Irises are somewhat resistant to glyphosate in the sense they often survive being sprayed with it, but they do absorb it and it does still act as an enzyme inhibitor in their cells and disrupts their growth to the point where they sometimes can't produce normal looking flowers.

I've had to resort to Roundup to eradicate Euphorbia cyparissis, which, even though I planted it, is a viscous weed.
I thought I had shielded this Iris, but apparently some drifted onto it..

'Pep Rally' before, and after

Really pretty one, Leslieray.

Well -- that's one beautiful mutation, Sherry -- I like it better than the original!!!

Did it go back to its original colors the next year?

That was last year... we'll see what happens this year...

I was going to say the same thing Mary Ann.

Leslie, that's exactly what mine looked like when they were hit by Roundup drift one year. They all snapped back nicely, though, and looked normal the next year.

Good to know it doesn't cause permanent mutation!