Leaf anatomy is described in 32 species of 16 genera of the New World tribeTigridieae (Iridaceae, Iridoideae), including examples from both subtribesCipurinae andTigridiinae. Both plicate (pleated) and foliated (with flanges, or keel extensions) leaf types occur in both subtribes. However, amongTigridiinae, foliated leaves are restricted toTigridia and differ from the foliated leaves ofCipurinae in that they lack subepidermal marginal sclerenchyma, which is present in all the foliated species ofCipurinae. This indicates that the foliated leaf type has evolved at least twice in the tribe, since the plicate leaf, which most closely resembles the equitant leaf typical ofIridaceae, is probably plesiomorphic.