Iris family
Description
A family of cosmopolitan monocotyledonous perennial herbs that grow from rhizomes, bulbs or corms (Iridaceae 1).
Leaves are usually linear, in two rows. The flowers are unisexual or bisexual, regular or irregular, the perianth consisting of two whorls, each of three segments. There are 3 stamens and an inferior ovary. The fruit is a capsule.
There are about 80 genera.
Use
Many genera are cultivated for their flowers. The genus Crocus yields saffron, a colouring and flavouring obtained from the dried stigmas.
Described species
Crocus sativus, saffron crocus