333 
triandrous, with the anthers turned outwards ; from Orchidaceae, to which 
it approaches very nearly in some respects, in not being gynandrous, and in 
all the anthers being distinct ; from Zingiberaceae and Marantaceae the three 
perfect stamens divide it, independently of the structure of the leaves, 
which are extremely different. Haemodoraceae, which are often triandrous 
and have equitant leaves, have the anthers bursting inwardly, and when tri- 
androus their stamens are opposite the petals. The Iris represents the gene- 
ral structure of the order ; but a departure from the form of perianth found 
in that genus takes place in Crocus, the flower of which is extremely like that 
of Gethyllis and Oporanthus among Amaryllidaceae on the one hand, and of 
Colchicum among Melanthacese on the other ; the latter is known by its su- 
perior triple ovary. The dilated stigma found in Iris is characteristic of the 
whole order ; in Crocus it is rolled up instead of being spread open. Brown 
observes, that Burmannia appears at first sight to agree with Iridacese, espe- 
cially in its equitant leaves, coloured superior triandrous perianth, and 3 di- 
lated stigmas ; it cannot, however, be united with them, on account of its fer- 
tile stamens being opposite the inner segments of the perianth, and alternating 
with an equal number of sterile ones, because of the transverse dehiscence of 
the anthers, and also the structure of the seeds. In Xyris some resemblance 
with this order is discoverable, especially in the disposition of the leaves, the 
triandrous flowers, and anthers turned outwards ; but that genus is very dis- 
tinct in its inferior perianth, the outer segments of which are glumaceous, and 
the inner distinctly petaloid, in the ungues bearing the stamens at their apex, 
in their sterile alternate stamens, and especially in the structure of the seed. 
Prodr. 302. 
Geography. Principally natives either of the Cape of Good Hope, or of 
the middle parts of North America and Europe. A few only are found within 
the tropics, and the order is generally far from abundant in South America, if 
compared with the numbers that exist at the Cape. The genera Marica and 
Morsea appear to occupy the same station in hot climates that Iris, a closely 
related genus, does in cooler latitudes. 
Properties. More remarkable for their beautiful fugitive flowers than 
for their utility. The rhizoma of some of them is slightly stimulating, as the 
violet- scented Orris root, the produce of Iris Florentina. A few, such as Iris 
tuberosa are purgative ; and Iris versicolor and verna are used as cathartics in 
the United States. The substance called Saffron is the dried stigmas of Cro- 
cus sati\uis, the colouring ingredient is a peculiar principle, to which the name 
Polychroite has been given. It possesses the remarkable properties of being 
totally destroyed by the action of the solar rays, of colouring in small quan- 
tity a large body of water, and of forming blue and green tints when treated 
with sulphuric and nitric acid, or with sulphate of iron. DC. According to 
Gray, the roasted seeds of Iris pseud-acorus very nearly approach Coffee in 
quality. Suppl. Pharmac. 237. 
GENERA. 
Diasia, DC. 
Aglcea, Pers. 
Melasphcrrula, Ker. 
Diplarrhena, La Bill. 
Gladiolus, L. 
Montbretia, DC. 
Watsonia, Ker. 
Antholyza, L. 
Ovieda, Spreng. 
Lapeyrousia, Pourr. 
Anomatheca, Ker. 
Tritonia, Ker. 
Waitzia, Rchb. 
Sparaxis, Ker. 
Synnetia, Swt. 
Babiana, Ker. 
Galaxia, Thunb. 
Crocus, L. 
Trichonema, Ker. 
Romulea, Maratt. 
Geissorrhiza, Ker. 
Hesperantha, Ker. 
Ixia, L. 
Aristea, Ait. 
Genlisia, Rchb. 
Nweyiia, Vent. 
Pardanthus, Ker. . Tigridia, Juss. 
Belemcanda, Mnch. Cypella, Herb. 
Witsenia, L. Ferraria, L. 
Sophronia, L. Moraea, L. 
Tapeinia, Juss. Hermodactylus,Tourn. 
Libertia, Spreng. Juno, Tratt. 
Renealmia, R. Br. Homeria, Vent. 
Nematostigma, Diet. Vieusseuxia, LaRoche. 
Patersonia, R. Br. Iris, L. 
Cipura, Aubl. Isis, Tratt. 
Marica, Schreb. Oithrosanthus, Swt. 
Sisyrinchium, L. Herbertia, Sv/t. 
Bennudiana, Gaertn. Streptanthera, Swt. 
Spatalanthus, Swt. 
