200 SOUTH AFRICAN BOTANY 
The last two genera are not native to South Africa, but 
are extensively cultivated. 
162. N. O. Iridaceae. 
General Characteristics.—Plants are perennial herbs, 
with Corms or Rhizomes. Leaves usually equitant, 
flowers regular or zygomorphic, perianth superior 3 + 8, 
stamens 8, ovary inferior, 3-celled, fruit a loculicidal 
capsule. 
This order is widely distributed in South Africa. 
Type.—Freesia (fig. 112). 
Plant.—Perennial herb. 
Leaves.—Radical, simple, linear, parallel veined, en- 
tire, smooth, green. 
Inflorescence.—A cyme with two green bracts to each 
flower. 
Flower.—Actinomorphic, complete. 
Perianth—s + 3 gamophyllous, superior. The peri- 
anth forms a tube spreading at the top. 
Androecium.—8, epiphyllous, free. Filaments long, 
anthers dorsifixed and extrorse. 
Gynoecium.—3 syncarpous, inferior, style long, 
branching into 6 parts to form the stigma. Ovary 38- 
celled, placentation axile, ovules numerous. Fruit a 
capsule, 
Other Genera.—Gladiolus (fig. 113) has many different 
species and is found all over South Africa. It has an 
irregular perianth. Moraea has no perianth tube and 
has large petaloid stigmas. Homeria(Tulp) is a poison- 
ous weed with very pretty flowers. Momulea, Aristea, 
Ixia, Watsonia and many other genera are found in the 
Colony, some in other parts of South Africa. The Iris, 
