The bulb was in fact the main carbohydrate source for the native peoples. In addition, the family contains numerous showy wildflowers such as species of Lilium, Erythronium, Fritillaria, Trillium, Calachortus and Allium . Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate or basal, simple and entire, usually equitant, eligulate. Inflorescence of cymes, umbels, spikes, panicles or flowers solitary, sometimes enclosed or subtended by one or more spathes.
Flowers perfect, regular or irregular.
Hypanthium usually well-developed. Sepals 3, petaloid, distinct or connate. Petals 3, distinct or connate. Fruit a capsule. The importance of the Iridaceae lies chiefly in their showy flowers.