Iris Family - Biology Of Irises, Native Species Of North America, Horticultural Irises, Other Economic Products
gladiolus spp
Irises are plants in the family Iridaceae which contains 1,500-1,800 species and 70-80 genera. The center of diversity of this family is in southern Africa, but species are found on all of the habitable continents. The largest groups in the family are the true irises (Iris spp.) with 200 species and gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) with 150 species.
Many species in the iris family have large, attractive flowers. The major economic importance of this family involves the cultivation of many species in horticulture. In France and Quebec the iris is generically known as the fleur-de-lis, and it is an important cultural symbol.
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Most species in the iris family are perennial herbs. These plants die back to the ground surface at the end of the growing season and then redevelop new shoots from underground rhizomes, bulbs, or corms at the beginning of the next growing season. A few species are shrubs. The leaves of species in the iris family are typically long, narrow, and pointed at the tip with parallel veins and sheathing …
Many species and cultivars in the iris family are grown in gardens and greenhouses for their beautiful flowers. These plants are typically propagated by splitting their rhizomes, bulbs, or corms, and sometimes by seed. Various species of iris are cultivated in gardens. These include the yellow-flowered water-flag (Iris pseudacorus) and blue-flowered species such as the true fleur-de-lis (I. german…
The world's most expensive spice is said to be saffron, a yellow substance made from the blue-flowered saffron crocus (Crocus sativa) of the eastern Mediterranean region. The major expense of saffron is in labor costs because it takes the floral parts 600-800 crocus flowers to make 0.035 oz (1 dry gram) of the spice. Saffron is mainly used to flavor foods and also as a yellow colorant of ce…
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