Petals 3, distinct or connate. Fruit a capsule. The importance of the Iridaceae lies chiefly in their showy flowers. Members of genera cultivated as ornamentals include Crocus, Tigridia, Freesia, Gladiolus, Iris, Chasmanthe, Crocosmia, Sisyrinchium and various others. The expensive spice saffron is produced from the stigmas of Crocus sativus.
Orchids reach a most bewildering diversity in the tropics and subtropics.
A large proportion of the tropical species are epiphytic. Herbs, terrestrial or epiphytic. Inflorescence a spike, raceme, panicle or flowers solitary. Flowers perfect, very irregular. Sepals 3, distinct or connate, petaloid or green.