Iridaceae or the Iris family is a worldwide group found in mostly temperate regions of perennial evergreen or deciduous herbs with roots usually from underground rhizomes, bulbs or corms. Their simple leaves with parallel veins are mostly arranged in a fan arising from the rootstock or stem. Stems are simple or branching and are associated with bracts. The bisexual flowers usually have 6 showy tepals, 3 stamens and an inferior 3 chambered ovary and are long-lasting or short-lived. Many of them are intricately adapted to attract pollinators, provide landing stages, and reward them with pollen, nectar or oils. A large number of the genera and species occur in Southern Africa and there are a number of South American genera too.
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