See Images of Irises

Viosca had a personal interest in native flora, particularly Louisiana irises. He photographically documented irises in their native habitat and under cultivation. Dr. John Kunkel Small, a botanist from New York had been active in this field and in the early 1930s declared that he had discovered dozens of new species. Viosca published his own study in 1935 which effectively derailed Small’s taxonomy, arguing that all but one of Small’s new species were in fact hybrids.   The four species of Louisiana irises that Viosca recognized are still accepted today. He was a charter member of the Louisiana Iris Society, along with another well-known Louisiana naturalist, Caroline Dorman, and at his house at 2490 Dreaux Avenue, New Orleans, Viosca built wooden ponds to cultivate his irises.

Purple Iris.  Natural hybrid in Viosca’s water garden.
The tallest blooms here are nearly 6-feet tall.

The Society for Louisiana Irises
http://www.louisianas.org/

American Iris Society
http://www.irises.org/

AIS Internet Iris Checklist
http://www.irisregister.com/