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about about
About
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Key Facts
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All Species
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More Genus
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Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris (Iridaceae)
Lifespan
Lifespan
Annual, Perennial
info

Key Facts About Iris

Attributes of Iris

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen

Scientific Classification of Iris

species

Exploring the Iris Plants

8 most common species:

All Species of Iris

Pypies
Thereianthus
Pypies
Fairypipes
Xenoscapa
Fairypipes
Hesperoxiphion
Hesperoxiphion
Hesperoxiphion
Cypella
Cypella
Cypella
Starfish lily
Ferraria
Starfish lily
Starfish lily is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, native to tropical and southern Africa. They are herbaceous corm-bearing plants growing to 30 to 45 cm tall.
Evening lily
Hesperantha
Evening lily
Evening lily is a genus of cormous flowering plants in the family Iridaceae. There are approximately 79 species, mostly native to southern Africa, but with four species reaching tropical Africa. All except one grow from corms.
Painted petal
Lapeirousia
Painted petal
Painted petal are cormous plants, usually small, and with deciduous leaves. The corms are small, campanulate to triangular in outline, and flat-based. The leaves are basal, often solitary. They may be plane and falcate, or linear and ribbed. The inflorescence is a spike, sometimes contracted and fasciculate or a corymbose panicle. The fruit is a membranous capsule containing many small seeds, either globose or angled by pressure. Some forty species have been described from sub-Saharan Africa, of which about a third are endemic to fynbos.
Flame freesia
Tritonia
Flame freesia
Libertia
Libertia
Libertia
Libertia is made up of herbaceous or evergreen perennials monocotyledenous growing from short rhizomes, with simple, linear or narrowly lanceolate basal leaves which are often green but may be red, orange, or yellow under direct sunlight. The showy white or blue trimerous flowers are open in spring and are followed by capsules opening by three valves which contain the numerous seeds. It is native to South America, Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand.
Bugle-lily
Watsonia
Bugle-lily
All bugle-lilys are perennial herbs growing from corms and producing erect spikes of showy flowers. Most are fynbos plants. Bugle-lilys are native to southern Africa. There are 56 accepted species in southern Africa, with two varieties and about 112 names either unresolved or regarded as synonyms.
Cape Tulips
Moraea
Cape Tulips
Olsynium
Olsynium
Olsynium
Olsynium is a genus of summer-dormant rhizomatous perennial flowering plants in the iris family Iridaceae, native to sunny hillsides in South America and western North America. It is 10 to 41 cm tall. Leaves are linear. Flowers are bell-shaped, with six white, pink, or lilac tepals.
Trimezia
Trimezia
Trimezia
Trimezia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae native to the warmer parts of southern Mexico Central America South America Florida and the West Indies. The rootstock is variously described as an elongated corm or a rhizome. Plants vary in height from about 7 cm to 1.6 m. Linear to lanceolate leaves grow from the base of the plant. Most species have flowers in some shade of yellow. The six tepals are arranged in two series. The outer tepals (sepals) are larger than the inner ones (petals); both may have brown-purple markings at the base. As of spring 2019 the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families accepted about 80 species of trimezia.
Pleatleaf
Nemastylis
Pleatleaf
Pleatleaf is a genus of flowering plants. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and the southern part of the United States.
Eleutherine
Eleutherine
Eleutherine
Eleutherine is a genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Iris family (Iridaceae), first described as a genus in 1843. It is native to Latin America and the West Indies.
Angel's fishing rod
Dierama
Angel's fishing rod
Angel's fishing rod is evergreen perennial herbs growing from large, fibrous-coated corms. It is lined with leaves that have linear blades with thick longitudinal veins and often no midrib. The inflorescence is a panicle of several spikes of flowers. The spikes may hang like bells or grow erect. The bell-shaped flowers of most wild species are pink; red, purple, yellow, and white taxa also exist. The fruit is a spherical capsule. There are about 44 species. They are native to Africa, with most occurring in the southern regions of the continent. The center of diversity is the province of KwaZulu-Natal in eastern South Africa.
Baboon root
Babiana
Baboon root
Baboon root is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae composed of about 80 recognized species. The majority of these species are endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Blue-eyed grasses
Sisyrinchium
Blue-eyed grasses
Blue-eyed grasses are not true grasses botanically, but they are annual or perennial flowering plants that resemble grass and generally grow in clusters. Many of these species are classified as threatened or endangered in the eastern part of the United States. The flowers can be white, yellow, and purple, in addition to the more common blue color.
African cornflags
Chasmanthe
African cornflags
Native only to South Africa's Capy Province, african cornflags, are strikingly beautiful. Sunbirds, colorful themselves and sporting curved beaks that fit perfectly into african cornflags flowers, are these plants' natural pollinators across their native range. The genus name(Chasmanthe) translates to 'gaping flower' in Greek.
Harlequin flowers
Sparaxis
Harlequin flowers
Harlequin flowers are popular garden ornamentals with dozens of hybrids bred and cultivated. These bright-colored flowering plants start to grow from a bulb during winter, bloom in spring, and go dormant when summer arrives. Native to South Africa, they are extremely tender perennials that can not survive low temperatures and light frost.
Coppertips
Crocosmia
Coppertips
Coppertips are perennial flowering plants with vibrant red and orange flowers. The dried leaves have a pungent smell, similar to saffron, when they are placed in water. These qualities inspired the scientific name for this genus, which comes from the Greek words for "saffron" and "odor."
Irises
Iris
Irises
Some of the nearly 300 known species of irises can boast thousands of years worth of cultivation. They get their name from the Greek goddess of the same name. Iris was the goddess of rainbows. Irises originate from temperate parts of Asia and Europe and are predominantly found in colder and dryer regions.
Painted petals
Codonorhiza
Painted petals
Brushirises
Klattia
Brushirises
Yellow flag
Patersonia
Yellow flag
Isophysis
Isophysis
Isophysis
Combirises
Micranthus
Combirises
Rushirises
Bobartia
Rushirises
Bushirises
Nivenia
Bushirises
Fairybells
Melasphaerula
Fairybells
Diplarrena
Diplarrena
Diplarrena
Orthrosanthus
Orthrosanthus
Orthrosanthus
Tritoniopsis
Tritoniopsis
Tritoniopsis
Tritoniopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1926. The entire genus is endemic to Cape Province in South Africa.
Geissorhiza
Geissorhiza
Geissorhiza
Geissorhiza is a genus with 103 species described to date of deciduous perennial flowering plants in the iris family. The entire genus is endemic to Cape Province of western South Africa.
Blue brilliant
Aristea
Blue brilliant
Blue brilliant is a genus of evergreen, perennial and rhizomatous species of flowering plants in the iris family (Iridaceae). The genus is distributed in tropical and southern Africa, as well as Madagascar.
Corn lily
Ixia
Corn lily
The genus corn lily consists of a number of cormous plants native to South Africa. Some distinctive traits include sword-like leaves and long wiry stems with star-shaped flowers.
Alophia
Alophia
Alophia
Alophia is a small genus of perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants in the iris family (Iridaceae). The genus comprise five known species that occur from the South-central United States as well as in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America.
Herbertia
Herbertia
Herbertia
Herbertia are a genus of bulbous plants that are native to North and South America. The genus is named after the British biologist William Herbert. These plants are a common sight in meadows, pastures, and prairies, and are also found growing on untended lawns.
Romulea
Romulea
Romulea
Romulea is a genus of flowering plants in the iris family. It is distributed in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa.
Freesia
Freesia
Freesia
A genus of largely tropical flowering plants, freesia include both the original wildflowers and the various domesticated cultivars and hybrids created from certain species. They are generally fragrant and many bear trumpet flowers. An oil derived from the flowers of several species are used in perfumes and scented toiletries.
Peacock flowers
Tigridia
Peacock flowers
Peacock flowers plants are native to Central America, but are also found in warm-climate gardens and greenhouses worldwide. They are known for big, showy flowers in a variety of colors and patterns that fade after a single day. Some species are considered noxious weeds, however, as they are commonly host to crop diseases such as corm scab and mosaic virus of cabbages and turnips.
Walking irises
Neomarica
Walking irises
Crocuses
Crocus
Crocuses
Crocuses include flowering plants that bloom in the autumn, winter, or spring. The name comes from the Greek word "krokos," meaning saffron, because of the spice obtained from the flower of one of these species. Many crocuses are cultivated for ornamental purposes as well as for commercial saffron production.
Gladioli
Gladiolus
Gladioli
Gladioli are perennial flowers. Their name comes from the Latin word for "small sword" because of the sword-shaped flower heads. These plants are commonly cultivated as ornamentals either in gardens or for cut flowers. Many different varieties of gladioli with flowers of different colors have been hybridized for commercial purposes.
wood iris
Dietes
wood iris
Wood iris are perennial clumping plants with small, showy flowers. They are also known as Fortnight lilies because they produce flowers from spring to late summer with two weeks in between the flowering periods. These plants are commonly cultivated as ornamental houseplants, ground covers in gardens, and in rock or woodland gardens.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
All Species
More Genus
Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris
Iridaceae
Lifespan
Lifespan
Annual, Perennial
info

Key Facts About Iris

Attributes of Iris

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen

Scientific Classification of Iris

species

Exploring the Iris Plants

8 most common species:
Show More Species

All Species of Iris

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
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17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
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Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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Continue reading in our app - it's better
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unlimited guides at your fingertips...
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