Herbs, perennial, with enlarged caudices. Roots taproots, gradually ramified distally or fusiform to napiform, rarely globose and cormlike, fleshy. Stems deciduous, prostrate to erect, scapelike, simple or branched; nodes glabrous. Leaves basal or basal and cauline; basal leaves evergreen or ephemeral, in basal rosettes or tufts (except in L. triphylla); cauline leaves, if present, alternate, opposite, or whorled, ± sessile or gradually or abruptly narrowed basally into broad, clasping petiole; blade fleshy, margins entire, toothed, or crisped, often hyaline near base. Inflorescences racemose, paniculate, or subumbellate cymes, pedunculate, or with flowers borne singly; bracts persistent, 2(-9) at each flowering node, subequal, margins entire, toothed, or glandular-toothed, herbaceous or scarious. Flowers pedicellate or sessile, persistent or disarticulate in fruit; sepals persistent, 2(-9), equal or subequal when paired, margins entire, toothed, or glandular-toothed, herbaceous or scarious; petals (4-)5-10(-19), twisting about and falling away with capsules after anthesis; stamens 1-50, distinct to scarcely connate and/or adnate to petals basally; ovules 1-50; style branched; stigmas 2-8. Capsules dehiscence circumscissile near base, splitting from base toward apex. Seeds 1-50, brown or black, smooth or minutely sculpted, estrophiolate. x = 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
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