Iridaceae

Many, see text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Iridaceae is a family of plants in Order Asparagales, taking its name from the Irises. It includes a number of other well known cultivated plants, such as the Freesia and the Crocus.

Related Topics:
Asparagales - Irises - Freesia - Crocus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Members of this family are perennials, with a bulb, corm or rhizome. The plants grow erect, and have leaves that are generally grass-like, with a sharp central fold.

Related Topics:
Perennial - Bulb - Corm - Rhizome

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Up to 80 genera have been recognised in the family, with a total of around 1500 species, world wide. The Afrotropic ecozone, and in particular South Africa, have the greatest diversity of genera. The spice saffron comes from the stigma of the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus.

Related Topics:
Afrotropic - Ecozone - South Africa - Saffron - Stigma - Crocus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~