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Tulips and irises share some characteristics. The Liliaceae genus Tulipa contains about one hundred tulip species. They are native to Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region, and thousands of tulip cultivars are popular garden flowers. A tulip plant produces two to three thick, blue-green leaves, clustered at its base.
Irises, also in the Liliales order, belong to the family Iridaceae, which includes some of the world's most popular flowers garden. Irises are indigenous to the north temperate zone, Asia, and the Mediterranean region. "Iris" is the common name for spring-flowering, bulbous herbs. The leaves of iris plants rise directly from the bulb or rootstock, they are very narrow, erect, and swordlike. Iris plants arise from rhizomes (stems underground) or bulbs and have large flowers. Iris, the Greek word for "rainbow," refers to the flowers rainbowlike color combinations. Another interesting and popular group of flowering garden plants is daffodils, of the genus Narcissus. They are sold as bulbs. Daffodils are so popular that they have been widely hybridized. A daffodil plant usually produces five to six lance-shaped leaves grouped about the base of its stem. Each plant has one large flower.
See also: Blooming Habits, Tulip, Daffodil, and Iris Growth
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