Cl. IRLDACEiE 515 
IRIS. The Greek name for the rainbow, referring to the hues 
of the flowers. — N. temperate regions. 
Boots cylindric, fleshy ; stems erect, sheathed by alternate, 
lanceolate, shortened leaves. Leaves chiefly radical, linear, entire, 
in 2 opposite rows, bases stem-sheathing and folded lengthwise, 
the outermost covering the edges of the next and so on, 
blade flat, sword-like. Flowers showy, in pairs or sometimes 
solitary. Inflorescence sheathed in a leaf-like spathe, deeply 
divided into 2 long, narrow, lanceolate segments ; each flower has 
also 2 much shorter, narrow, membranous bracts ; flower-stalks 
short. Perianth superior, base tubular ; limb 6-parted, segments 
all petal-like, in 2 series, the outer reflexed, crested or bearded 
inside, the inner rather shorter, erect. Stamens 3, at the base of 
the outer segments ; filaments distinct, anthers 2-celled, linear, 
basifixed. Ovary inferior, 3-celled ; ovules many ; style linear, 
