Iridoides
/ih-ree-DOY-deez/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
A resemblance epithet applied to plants whose flowers or sword-like leaves recall an iris — the fan of flat, strap-shaped leaves or the characteristic three-petalled flower with falls and standards. Appears as iridoides (both genders).
Etymology
From the genus Iris + Greek -oides (resembling).
Example
“Moraea iridoides and Libertia ixioides both carry epithets acknowledging the close resemblance to true irises that initially puzzled their collectors.”