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Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
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IRIDACEAE

IRIS FAMILY

Elizabeth McClintock, except as specified

Perennial, bulbed, cormed, or rhizomed
Stem generally erect
Leaves generally basal (a few cauline), 2-ranked, ± linear, generally grass-like, generally sharply folded along midrib; bases overlapping, sheathing
Inflorescence: spike, raceme, panicle, ± terminal, or flowers solitary; bracts ± like leaf bases, sheathing
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; hypanthium fused to ovary; perianth parts generally fused into tube above ovary, generally petal-like, in 2 series of 3, outer (sepals) generally ± like inner (petals); stamens 3, generally attached to sepals, filaments fused below into a tube or not; ovary inferior, 3-chambered, placentas generally axile, style 1, each of 3 branches entire or 2-branched or -lobed, petal-like or not, with stigma on under surface instead of at tip
Fruit: capsule, loculicidal
Seeds few–many
Genera in family: 80 genera, ± 1500 species: worldwide, especially Africa; many cultivated (e.g., Iris, Gladiolus, Crocus, Freesia ).

GLADIOLUS

Perennial; corm rounded, with fibrous covering
Stem generally unbranched
Inflorescence: generally spike; flowers each subtended by 2 leathery, entire bracts
Flower generally bisexual, bilateral; perianth funnel-shaped, tube ± curved, upper 3 lobes > lower 3; stamens attached to base of perianth tube, arching to upper lobes; style ± = stamens, branches each entire, arched
Seeds many, winged or not
Species in genus: ± 180 species: especially Africa, also Madagascar, Eur
Etymology: (Latin: little sword, from leaf shape)
Reference: [Lewis and others 1972 J S Africa Bot, Suppl vol 10]
Many species and hybrids cultivated as ornamental.

Introduced

G. tristis L.


Stem 50–70 cm, < or = leaves
Inflorescence: flowers generally 3–4(8)
Flower bisexual; stamens, style included in perianth tube
Ecology: Uncommon. Disturbed ground, along roadsides
Elevation: < 800 m.
Bioregional distribution: South Coast
Distribution outside California: native to s Africa

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