View source for Iridaceae

{{Treatment/ID
|accepted_name=Iridaceae
|accepted_authority=Jussieu
|publications=
|common_names=Iris Family
|basionyms=
|synonyms=
|hierarchy=Iridaceae
|hierarchy_nav=<div class="higher-taxa"><div class="higher-taxon"><small>family</small>[[Iridaceae]]</div></div>
|volume=Volume 26
|mention_page=page 12, 15, 17, 349, 372
|treatment_page=page 348
}}<!--

--><span class="statement" id="st-d0_s0" data-properties="whole_organism duration;whole_organism duration;whole_organism duration;whole_organism duration;whole_organism growth form;whole_organism growth form"><b>Herbs,</b> perennial, rarely annual [or shrubs with woody caudex], evergreen or seasonal, sometimes cespitose;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s1" data-properties="">rootstock a rhizome, bulb, or corm.</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s2" data-properties="flowering-stem location;flowering-stem architecture;flowering-stem architecture;flowering-stem shape;flowering-stem shape;flowering-stem shape;flowering-stem architecture"><b>Flowering-</b>stems aerial (or subterranean in Romulea), simple or branched, terete or variously compressed, angled or winged.</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s3" data-properties="leaf position;leaf position;leaf arrangement"><b>Leaves </b>basal and cauline, distichous;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s4" data-properties="proximal leaf quantity;proximal leaf texture;proximal leaf position relational">proximal 2–3 sometimes membranous, not reaching much above ground;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s5" data-properties="other architecture;other orientation;sheath architecture;sheath condition">others with open or closed sheaths, usually unifacial [bifacial or terete], oriented edgewise to the stem;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s6" data-properties="blade architecture;blade shape;blade shape;blade shape">blade parallel-veined, plane or pleated, channeled.</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s7" data-properties="inflorescence architecture;cyme arrangement;spike arrangement;flower arrangement;flower architecture or arrangement or growth form"><b>Inflorescences </b>umbellate, monochasial cymes (rhipidia), spikes, or solitary flowers;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s8" data-properties="rhipidium size;rhipidium architecture;opposed quantity;bract condition or texture">rhipidia enclosed in 2, opposed, usually large, leafy to dry bracts (spathes);</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s9" data-properties="floral bract quantity">flowers except for the first subtended by 1 floral bract;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s10" data-properties="opposed bract quantity">spike flowers each subtended by 2, opposed bracts.</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s11" data-properties="flower architecture"><b>Flowers </b>usually pedicellate [± sessile];</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s12" data-properties="perianth architecture;perianth architecture;perianth architecture;whorl quantity;whorl variability;whorl size;tepal quantity">perianth actinomorphic or zygomorphic, petaloid, with 2 equal or unequal whorls of 3 tepals each [1 whorl of 6];</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s13" data-properties="tepal size;tepal prominence;tepal fusion;tepal fusion">tepals usually large, showy, distinct or connate in tube;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s14" data-properties="tepal stamen quantity;tepal stamen atypical quantity;tepal stamen arrangement;tepal stamen architecture or orientation or position;tepal stamen course or shape">stamens 3 [2], inserted at base of outer tepals or in tube, symmetrically arranged or unilateral, arcuate [declinate];</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s15" data-properties="filament fusion;filament fragility">filaments distinct or partly to completely connate, sometimes weak, unable to support anthers;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s16" data-properties="anther dehiscence or orientation;anther dehiscence;anther dehiscence;pollen-sac quantity">anthers with 2 pollen-sacs, extrorse, occasionally latrorse, usually dehiscing longitudinally [rarely apically];</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s17" data-properties="">ovary inferior [superior in Tasmanian Isophysis], 3-locular [1-locular];</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s18" data-properties="ovary position;ovary architecture or structure in adjective form;ovary placentation">placentation axile [parietal];</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s19" data-properties="ovule quantity;ovule orientation">ovules 2–few, anatropous;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s20" data-properties="style quantity;style shape;style architecture;style shape;branch shape;branch size;branch shape;branch structure in adjective form;branch size or width;branch shape;branch architecture;stigma position">style single, filiform at least proximally, usually 3-branched or 3-lobed, branches either filiform, distally expanded, sometimes each divided in distal 1/2, stigmatic toward apices, or branches thickened, or flattened, petaloid, stigmas then abaxial below apices.</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s21" data-properties="fruit architecture;fruit dehiscence;fruit dehiscence;fruit texture;fruit texture"><b>Fruits </b>capsular, loculicidal, rarely indehiscent, firm to cartilaginous, occasionally woody.</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s22" data-properties="seed shape;seed architecture or shape;seed architecture"><b>Seeds </b>globose to angular (prismatic) or discoid, sometimes broadly winged;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s23" data-properties="seed-coat condition or texture">seed-coat usually dry (rarely fleshy);</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s24" data-properties="endosperm texture">endosperm hard, with reserves of hemicellulose, oil, and protein;</span> <span class="statement" id="st-d0_s25" data-properties="embryo size">embryo small.</span><!--

-->{{Treatment/Body
|distribution=Nearly worldwide but rare in tropical lowlands;best represented in southern Africa
|discussion=<p>Genera ca. 65, species ca. 1810 (16 genera, 92 species; 9 genera, 19 species introduced, and various hybrid complexes in the flora).</p><!--
--><p>Iridaceae are currently divided into four subfamilies (P. Goldblatt 1990, 1991). Subfamily Isophysidoideae Takhtajan is monotypic, comprising the Tasmanian Isophysis T. Moore with a superior ovary. Only subfamily Iridoideae is native in North America. The remaining Nivenioideae Schulze ex Goldblatt and Ixioideae Klatt are centered in Africa south of the Sahara. Iridaceae are of considerable economic importance in ornamental horticulture and the cut-flower industry, especially Iris, Gladiolus, and Freesia. Several other genera (e.g., Crocus, Dietes, Sparaxis, Tritonia, Watsonia) are cultivated in gardens in both tropical and temperate areas. Moraea and Homeria are poisonous and pose significant problems in cattle- and sheep-raising areas, notably in southern Africa.</p><!--
--><p>In addition to the several genera and species escaped from cultivation and dealt with in detail below, the following are widely grown in areas of mild winter and may persist in and near abandoned gardens, sometimes reproducing successfully: Dietes Salisbury [D. iridioides (Linnaeus) Salisbury ex Klatt, D. grandiflora N. E. Brown]; Ixia Linnaeus (I. maculata Linnaeus, I. polystachya Linnaeus); Crocus cultivars and even some wild species.</p>
|tables=
|references=
}}<!--

--><div class="treatment-key">
==Key==
<div class="treatment-key-group">
  
{| class="wikitable fna-keytable"
|-id=key-0-1
|1
|Inflorescences spicate, 2–many-flowered, or flowers solitary and sessile, each subtended by pair of opposed bracts; rootstock a corm; flowers actinomorphic or zygomorphic; tepals tubular-connate.
|[[#key-0-2| > 2]]
|-id=key-0-1
|1
|Inflorescences rhipidiate, (1–)2–several-flowered; spathes 2, paired, opposed, often leafy; rootstock a rhizome, bulb, or indistinct; flowers actinomorphic, tepals distinct or tubular-connate.
|[[#key-0-8| > 8]]
|-id=key-0-2
|2
|Flowers solitary on aerial axes; leaves all inserted below ground; blade filiform, oval to terete in cross section, with 4 longitudinal grooves.
|[[Romulea|Romulea]]
|-id=key-0-2
|2
|Flowers in 2–many-flowered spikes; leaves some at least inserted above ground level; blade usually expanded, plane (rarely linear, cruciform in cross section).
|[[#key-0-3| > 3]]
|-id=key-0-3
|3
|Flowers actinomorphic, upright; bracts scarious, translucent, with brown streaking; perianth tube shorter than limb.
|[[Sparaxis|Sparaxis]]
|-id=key-0-3
|3
|Flowers zygomorphic, upright or facing side; bracts not scarious; perianth tube shorter or longer than limb.
|[[#key-0-4| > 4]]
|-id=key-0-4
|4
|Style branches each divided for about 1/2 its length, filiform throughout.
|[[#key-0-5| > 5]]
|-id=key-0-4
|4
|Style branches each simple or apically notched, filiform throughout or expanded terminally.
|[[#key-0-6| > 6]]
|-id=key-0-5
|5
|Spikes inflexed, ± horizontal, flowers secund; seeds globose, without wings.
|[[Freesia|Freesia]]
|-id=key-0-5
|5
|Spikes erect, flowers distichous; seeds angular, 1–2-winged.
|[[Watsonia|Watsonia]]
|-id=key-0-6
|6
|Tepals variously colored; style branches expanded terminally, not filiform throughout; seeds usually broadly winged, globose or angular.
|[[Gladiolus|Gladiolus]]
|-id=key-0-6
|6
|Tepals shades of orange to reddish; style branches apically notched, not expanded above; seeds not winged, globose.
|[[#key-0-7| > 7]]
|-id=key-0-7
|7
|Perianth tube obliquely funnel-shaped; tepals subequal (dorsal only slightly larger).
|[[Crocosmia|Crocosmia]]
|-id=key-0-7
|7
|Perianth tube narrow and cylindric proximally, abruptly widened and broadly cylindric distally; dorsal tepal ± 2 times others.
|[[Chasmanthe|Chasmanthe]]
|-id=key-0-8
|8
|Leaves plicate, occasionally so narrow that pleats are obscure; rootstock a bulb with brown, dry tunics.
|[[#key-0-9| > 9]]
|-id=key-0-8
|8
|Leaves plane; rootstock a rhizome or indistinct.
|[[#key-0-12| > 12]]
|-id=key-0-9
|9
|Tepals unequal, inner whorl less than 1/2 outer.
|[[Herbertia|Herbertia]]
|-id=key-0-9
|9
|Tepals subequal or inner whorl only slightly smaller than outer.
|[[#key-0-10| > 10]]
|-id=key-0-10
|10
|Style eccentric and recurving; style branches fairly short, undivided, ascending.
|[[Calydorea|Calydorea]]
|-id=key-0-10
|10
|Style straight, central; style branches each deeply divided into filiform arms.
|[[#key-0-11| > 11]]
|-id=key-0-11
|11
|Style branches divided for 1/2 their length, rarely more; style arms arching over or between anthers; anthers pandurate.
|[[Alophia|Alophia]]
|-id=key-0-11
|11
|Style branches divided almost to base; style arms extending horizontally between anthers; anthers linear-oblong.
|[[Nemastylis|Nemastylis]]
|-id=key-0-12
|12
|Style branches broad, petaloid, terminating in paired crests; anthers appressed to style branches.
|[[Iris|Iris]]
|-id=key-0-12
|12
|Style branches not broad or petaloid; anthers not appressed to style branches.
|[[#key-0-13| > 13]]
|-id=key-0-13
|13
|Filaments distinct; style branches flattened, relatively short, not extending between stamens.
|[[Belamcanda|Belamcanda]]
|-id=key-0-13
|13
|Filaments partly connate; style branches filiform, relatively short or long, extending between stamens.
|[[#key-0-14| > 14]]
|-id=key-0-14
|14
|Tepals white or yellow, spreading from base; style branches relatively long, extending between stamens below anthers.
|[[#key-0-15| > 15]]
|-id=key-0-14
|14
|Tepals blue, purple, pink, or white; style branches relatively short, extending between anthers.
|[[#key-0-16| > 16]]
|-id=key-0-15
|15
|Tepals white, inner exceeding outer.
|[[Libertia|Libertia]]
|-id=key-0-15
|15
|Tepals yellow, inner ± equaling to slightly smaller than outer.
|[[Sisyrinchium|Sisyrinchium]]
|-id=key-0-16
|16
|Leaves centric, somewhat inflated; stem simple; seeds brown, angular.
|[[Olsynium|Olsynium]]
|-id=key-0-16
|16
|Leaves plane; stem simple or branched; seeds blackish, globose, with broad concave indentation in chalazal area.
|[[Sisyrinchium|Sisyrinchium]]
|}
</div></div><!--

-->{{#Taxon:
name=Iridaceae
|author=Peter Goldblatt
|authority=Jussieu
|rank=family
|parent rank=
|synonyms=
|basionyms=
|family=Iridaceae
|illustrator=Yevonn Wilson-Ramsey
|illustration copyright=Flora of North America Association
|distribution=Nearly worldwide but rare in tropical lowlands;best represented in southern Africa
|reference=None
|publication title=
|publication year=
|special status=
|source xml=https://bibilujan@bitbucket.org/aafc-mbb/fna-fine-grained-xml.git/src/84153f6d59a0a91d69695978a64cee7560374f8e/V26/V26_710.xml
|anther dehiscence=dehiscing;latrorse
|anther dehiscence or orientation=extrorse
|blade architecture=parallel-veined
|blade shape=channeled;pleated;plane
|bract condition or texture=dry
|branch architecture=petaloid
|branch shape=flattened;divided;filiform
|branch size=expanded
|branch size or width=thickened
|branch structure in adjective form=stigmatic
|cyme arrangement=monochasial
|embryo size=small
|endosperm texture=hard
|filament fragility=weak
|filament fusion=distinct or;partly completely connate
|floral bract quantity=1
|flower architecture=pedicellate
|flower architecture or arrangement or growth form=solitary
|flower arrangement=monochasial
|flowering-stem architecture=winged;branched;simple
|flowering-stem location=aerial
|flowering-stem shape=angled;compressed;terete
|fruit architecture=capsular
|fruit dehiscence=indehiscent;loculicidal
|fruit texture=woody;firm;cartilaginous
|inflorescence architecture=umbellate
|leaf arrangement=distichous
|leaf position=cauline;basal
|opposed bract quantity=2
|opposed quantity=2
|other architecture=unifacial
|other orientation=oriented
|ovary architecture or structure in adjective form=3-locular
|ovary placentation=axile
|ovary position=inferior
|ovule orientation=anatropous
|ovule quantity=2;few
|perianth architecture=petaloid;zygomorphic;actinomorphic
|pollen-sac quantity=2
|proximal leaf position relational=not reaching
|proximal leaf quantity=2;3
|proximal leaf texture=membranous
|rhipidium architecture=leafy
|rhipidium size=large
|seed architecture=winged
|seed architecture or shape=discoid
|seed shape=globose;angular
|seed-coat condition or texture=dry
|sheath architecture=open
|sheath condition=closed
|spike arrangement=monochasial
|stigma position=abaxial
|style architecture=3-branched
|style quantity=single
|style shape=3-lobed;filiform
|tepal fusion=connate;distinct
|tepal prominence=showy
|tepal quantity=3
|tepal size=large
|tepal stamen architecture or orientation or position=unilateral
|tepal stamen arrangement=arranged
|tepal stamen atypical quantity=2
|tepal stamen course or shape=arcuate
|tepal stamen quantity=3
|whole_organism duration=seasonal;evergreen;annual;perennial
|whole_organism growth form=herb;cespitose
|whorl quantity=2
|whorl size=unequal
|whorl variability=equal
}}<!--

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