Plant Sex: Flowers bisexual.
Flowers: Actinomorphic and zygomorphic (Belamcanda). Hypanthium usually well developed. Perianth often showy; petals bearded in Iris. Inferior ovary long, pedicel-like. Style is PETALOID in Iris.
Inflorescence: Cymose or scapose.
Fruits: Loculicidal capsules.
Habit: Bulbous, rhizomatous, or cormose perennial herbs.
Leaves: Each folded in half lengthwise, overlapping other leaf = EQUITANT. This photo of Tigridia has plicate (folded) leaves that are also equitant at the base.
Examples:
Iris
- I. cristata (dwarf crested iris). Plants in flower in the Appalachians. Flower L.S. Flower, top portion showing the petaloid style. Flower top portion L.S.
- I. foetidissima. Fruits with bright orange seeds.
- I. X germanica (iris, flags). Flower of a blue variety. Yellow and red varieties.
- I. fulva and I. hexagona
naturally hybridize when their habitats are brought together. A
classic study of hybridization in plants by Edgar Anderson, later Mike
Arnold (with molecular techniques).
- I. missouriensis. Some natural variation in flower color from a population in New Mexico.
Crocus
- C. vernalis (spring crocus). Plant in flower. Excavated plants showing corms.
- C. sp. (autumn crocus). Plant in flower.
-
C. sativus (saffron)
Gladiolus
- G. X hortulanus (glads). A field in Michigan with cultivated glads.
- G. cylindraceus. Flowering shoot from a species native to South African.
- G. uitenhagensis. Inflorescence and young infructescence of a South African native.
Neomarica
Sisyrinchium
In South Africa, Iridaceae are very diverse! Here are just of few of them:
- Aristea capitata. Flowering shoot.
- Bobartia sp. Flower being visited by a bee.
- Dietes iridioides. Flower.
- Homeria miniata. An entire field filled with these wildflowers!
- Moraea pritzeliana. Plant in flower. Note the cork-screw leaves!
- Thereianthus bracteolatus. Flowering shoot.
- Tritoniopsis triticea. Flowering shoot.
- Watsonia spectabilis (red) and Gladiolus tristis (yellow). Flowers.
- SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
- URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture25Aspar/Iridaceae.html
- Last updated: 23-Apr-08 / dln
