Densely tufted, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial herbs. Basal leaves equitant, linear-ensiform, flat, glabrous, finely striate. Scape erect, terete, rarely branched, with 2-4 reduced leaves. Inflorescence a rhipidium of 3-6 flowers enclosed by 2 opposite herbaceous spathes. Flowers zygomorphic, pedicellate, separated by membranous bracteoles. Sepals and petals free, clawed. Sepals unequal, spreading. Petals oblong, shorter, 2 spreading, the third hooded over the stamens. Fertile stamens 2, the third lacking an anther; filaments free, flattened, unequal; anthers versatile, oblong, unequal, oblique. Ovary cylindrical, enclosed in spathes; style filiform, unbranched, exceeding anthers; stigmatic lobes 3, flattened, unequal, papillose on upper surface. Capsules exserted. Seeds numerous, flattened; aril absent.
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