Arborescent plants with stout caudex of fibrous pith surrounded by persistent packed leaf bases; roots fibrous, arising at base of leafy crown and passing through leaf bases. Leaves many, crowded, narrowly linear, rhomboidal in T.S., silky, often glabrescent; base widely expanded with scarious margins. Inflorescences many, axillary just below stem apex, head-like, with many sessile flowers; scapes covered by imbricate bracts. Flowers bisexual. Sepals and petals free, narrow, navicular, somewhat dry. Stamens free, exserted; anthers basifixed. Style as long as perianth; ovary 3-locular; ovule 1 per locule. Fruit indehiscent, 1-seeded within persistent perianth.
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