Perennial herbs, sometimes arborescent, with short rhizomes and erect stems or with short caudex; roots thick. Leaves sessile, linear, flat to inrolled, imbricate at base; margins scabrid. Flowers sessile, bisexual, not opening widely, crowded in spherical inflorescence on stout scape bearing scattered bracts; floral bracts navicular, some exserted and pungent. Sepals united above middle, thickened, indurated towards apex, with stiff dorsal hairs. Petals almost free, narrower than sepals, indurated towards apex. Stamens inserted on perianth, prominently exserted; anthers dorsifixed, short, apiculate. Style stout, c. as long as stamens; stigma simple; ovary 3-locular; ovule 1 per locule. Fruit indehiscent within persistent perianth. Seed 1.
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