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Perennials with large persistent corms with fibrous tunics. Leaves several, the lower 2-3 sheathing the base (cataphylls); foliage leaves plane or plicate, mostly basal, the cauline much reduced. Stem terete, usually branched. Inflorescence a spike, usually inclined or horizontal; bracts coriaceous, fairly short, the inner ± as long as the outer. Flowers shades of orange to reddish, actinomorphic to strongly zygomorphic with stamens then arched under the upper tepal, this sometimes much larger than the others; tube cylindric, funnel-shaped or dimorphic curved. Style exserted, the branches filiform or apically broadened, entire or notched apically. Capsules globose to depressed and 3-lobed, ± coriaceous. Seeds globose, smooth or lightly wrinkled, few per locule.
Erect, sometimes rhizomatous, evergreen or summer-green perennial. Corms globose. Leaves distichous, ensiform, in basal fan, and cauline. Inflorescence ± flattened, usually sparingly branched, branches flexuous. Flowers orange to brick-scarlet, each within 2 short, brownish, acute or obtuse, apiculate spathe-valves; tube cylindrical, straight or curved, slightly dilated above; lobes ± equal, spreading, obtuse, or uppermost ± hooded. Stamens ± symmetrical. Style 3-fid; branches entire, ± dilated at tip. Capsule subglobose. Seed usually 1-2 in each locule, numerous aborted ovules present. Spp. 6 of tropical and S. Africa. Adventive spp. 2.
Perennial herbs with annual leaves and flowers. Corm globose; tunic of netted fibres. Leaves mostly basal, ensiform, glabrous, soft-textured. Scape erect, branched. Spikes distichous. Bracts small. Flowers zygomorphic or almost actinomorphic, yellow to orange. Perianth tube narrow at base, funnel-shaped above, ±curved; lobes subequal or perianth bilabiate. Stamens unilateral or equilateral; anthers linear, bifid at base, versatile. Style filiform, trifid above level of anthers; branches short, recurved, slightly expanded at apices. Capsule depressed-globose, 3-lobed. Seeds few, globose, lustrous.
Flower colours in shades of orange to reddish, actinomorphic to strongly zygomorphic with stamens arched under the upper tepal, this sometimes much larger than the others, perianth tube cylindric, funnel-shaped or curved with a narrow cylindrical lower portion and a broad cylindrical upper portion.
Leaves several, the lower 2–3 sheathing the stem base (cataphylls); foliage leaves plane or plicate, mostly basal, cauline leaves much reduced.
Inflorescence a spike, usually inclined or horizontal; floral bracts coriaceous, fairly short, the inner about as long as the outer.
Capsules globose to depressed and 3-lobed, more or less coriaceous; seeds globose, hard and shiny, few per locule.
Perennial herbs with large corms, aerial parts dying back annually; corms with fibrous tunics.
Style exserted, the branches filiform or apically broadened, entire or notched at the apex.
Stem terete, usually branched.
