Herbaceous perennials, glabrous throughout; primary roots mostly absent. Stems short, simple or branched, decumbent. Leaves linear, alternate in 2 spiral rows, crowded. Inflorescence paniculate, axis elongated; flowers pedicellate, in congested cymules. Flowers bisexual. Sepals and petals mostly white, uninerved, persistent. Stamens 6, fused at base and inserted on perianth; anthers dorsifixed; pollen bean-shaped. Ovary 3-locular; ovules 2 per locule, collateral, pendulous, mostly aborting; style filiform, 3/4-3 times length of ovary. Capsule usually asymmetrical, smooth, loculicidally dehiscent. Seed up to 4 per fruit, ellipsoidal to ±hemispherical; testa thin; embryo ±straight and longitudinal but oblique or (not in Australia) curved.
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