Flowers in various inflorescences, rarely spathes solitary, but 2-or more-flowered or (if 1-flowered) the outer perianth-segments very different from the inner ones. Leaves 2-ranked, folded one above the other, rarely (_Geosiris_) reduced to scales. Stem distinctly developed. 5 2. Stem underground, very short. Perianth-tube very long. 3 Stem partly above ground. Perianth-tube short or moderately long. 4 3. Style-branches undivided, stigmatose inside. Perianth red or violet, rarely white with red streaks.--Species 6. South Africa (Cape Colony). =Syringodea= Hook. fil. Style-branches many-lobed or many-parted, stigmatose at the top.--Species 3; one of them only cultivated. North-West Africa. Used as ornamental plants; the tubers are edible. The cultivated species (_C. sativus_ L.) yields the saffron, which is used as a condiment and for dyeing. =Crocus= L. 4. Leaves crowded at the top of the very short stem. Perianth with a rather long tube, yellow or violet. Filaments united into a tube. Style-branches dilated above, petal-like.--Species 3. South Africa (Cape Colony). Used as ornamental plants. =Galaxia= Thunb. [Illustration: DIOSCOREACEAE. _FLOW. PL. AFR._ _Pl. 21._ J. Fleischmann del. Dioscorea dumetorum (Kunth) Pax _A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Male flower from above. _C_ Male flower cut lengthwise. _D_ Group of fruits.] [Illustration: IRIDACEAE. _FLOW. PL. AFR._ _Pl. 22._ J. Fleischmann del. Lapeyrousia Fabricii Ker _A_ Plant in flower. _B_ Flower. _C_ Ovary cut lengthwise.] Leaves scattered along the stem or crowded at its base. Filaments free, rarely united, but then perianth with a very short tube. Style-branches not petal-like.--Species 50. South and North Africa and mountains of Central Africa. Some are used as ornamental plants. (_Trichonema_ Ker). =Romulea= Maratti 5. (1.) Spathes 1-flowered, in spikes. Style-branches well developed, generally alternate with the anthers, thread-shaped or thickened at the top, more rarely dilated and almost petal-like, but undivided. Flower usually more or less irregular. Stem leafy. [Subfamily =IXIOIDEAE=.] 6 Spathes 2-or more-flowered, rarely 1-flowered, but then style-branches either reduced to short teeth, or opposite the anthers, petal-like, and 2-lobed. Flowers regular, but the inner perianth-segments often very different from the outer ones. [Subfamily =IRIDOIDEAE=.] 23 6. Style-branches 2-parted. [Tribe WATSONIEAE.] 7 Style-branches undivided. 10 7. Flowers small. Perianth with a short tube, red or blue. Ovules 2 in each ovary-cell.--Species 2. South Africa (Cape Colony). =Micranthus= Pers. Flowers large or rather large. Perianth with a long or rather long tube. Ovules many in each ovary-cell. 8 8. Perianth-tube straight or nearly so. Filaments short, inserted at the throat of the perianth.--Species 40. South and Central Africa. Some have edible tubers or serve as ornamental plants. (Plate 22.) =Lapeyrousia= Pourr.