Perennial herbs with creeping surface or subterranean rhizomes. Roots thick and fleshy but not tuberous. Leaves distichous, alternate, sessile, linear, multinerved. Inflorescence a terminal umbel on a tall hollow scape; flowers bisexual, pedicellate, numerous, enclosed in bud within 2 spathes; pedicels articulated at apex. Perianth actinomorphic, spreading to slightly reflexed; segments 6, equal, fused in lower part. Stamens 6; filaments filiform, fused at base to perianth; anthers introrse, dorsifixed, dehiscing by slits. Ovary superior, 3-locular, ovoid; ovules axile, numerous, in 2 rows per locule; style 1, filiform; stigma minutely capitate. Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds numerous, winged, black.
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