Irideae
A natural order of monocotyledonous plants. Perennial herbs. Flowers regular or irregular, terminal, in a spike, corymb, or loose panicle, rarely solitary, each furnished with two (rarely more) spathaceous bracts, usually scarious; perianth superior, petaloid, tubular, six-fid, regular or sub-bilabiate; stamens three, inserted at the base of the outer row of the perianth; anthers innate, opening on the back. Leaves usually all radical, equitant, distichous, ensiform or linear, angular, entire, flat, or folded longitudinally, the cauline ones alternate, sheathing. Irideoe inhabit both warm and temperate regions, and abound at the Cape of Good Hope. They possess fragrant, stimulant, and acrid properties. Illustrative genera are: Crocus, Gladiolus, Iris, Ixia.