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Iridaceae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genera

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.

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.

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 stigmaA stigma is part of the female part of a flower; that part of a pistil which has no epidermis, and is fitted to receive the pollen. It is usually the terminal (end) portion, and is commonly somewhat glutinous or viscid. The spice saffron is taken from the of the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus.

Genera of Iridaceae

Plant families

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