Information

Plants relatively small with a tunicated, bulb-like corm. Stem erect, leafy, of variable length, simple or branched, terminated by a bracteate, racemose inflorescence. Lowermost leaf a membranous, sheathing, tubular cataphyll, not protracted into a leaf-blade. Leaves linear, erecto-patent, canaliculate, the base sheathing the stem. Inflorescence a raceme; bracts linear-lanceolate, simple, upwards successively smaller; pedicel patent, recurved apically. Flowers often in dull shades and often two-colored, sometimes almost black; perianth segments free, persistent, patent or reflexed with a basal tubular or flattened claw; nectary a channel-, pouch-, or pocket-like structure in the claw or in the junction between claw and perianth segment. Stamens distinct, inserted at the base of the perianth segments, filaments curved, filiform or swollen about or below the middle, anthers dorsifixed, versatile, linear-oblong, dehiscing extrorsely by longitudinal slits. Ovary globose or ovoid-oblong, styles 3, free, filiform, curved or spreading, with a small capitate or oblong stigma. Capsule pyriform-globose, loculicidal, coriaceous; seeds many, globose or subglobose, with a distinct raphe.