Rhizomes short, with tufted roots. Leaves basal, subterete, grooved, base sheathing. Flowering stems erect, simple, slightly shorter than leaves. Inflorescence an abbreviated cyme, capitate, (1 or)2--5-flowered; bracts 8--18 per flower, sheathing stem, leaflike. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic; pedicel very short. Perianth corollalike; segments basally connate into a tube, inner ones slightly smaller than outer. Stamens inserted opposite perianth segments, outer ones slightly larger than inner and attached near middle of perianth tube; inner ones attached at base of inner perianth segments and with short filaments; anthers nearly dorsifixed, locules 2, parallel; connective slightly exserted. Ovary inferior; ovules many. Style columnar; stigma (2 or)3-lobed. Fruiting a capsule, obliquely lanceolate, slightly 3-angled, beaked. Seeds numerous, ellipsoid.
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