Perennial herbs smelling strongly of onions, with a ± swollen and irregularly shaped rhizome (rarely a corm or bulb) surrounded by dry sheathing leaf-bases. Leaves 4–8, strap-shaped filiform, distichous, base forming a very short closed sheath. Scape solitary (–2), erect. Inflorescence umbellate, subtended by 2 spathaceous bracts; pedicels subtended by smaller membranous bracts. Flowers 3–40, opening in succession, with the outer opening first. Perianth segments united into a tube for about half their length; tube with a corona of 3 or more free fleshy scales or a fleshy tube (in all East African species). Anthers sessile in 2 whorls, 1 whorl usually inserted on the corona. Style short; stigma capitate. Fruit surrounded by remains of perianth. Seeds black, flat.
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