Shortly rhizomatous perennial herbs. Roots fleshy-fibrous. Leaves tufted, linear, distichous. Inflorescence a scapose umbel subtended by 2 bracts. Flowers bisexual, perianth segments united at base; stamens 6, basally fused to perianth segments, filaments filiform, anthers dorsifixed, dehiscing introrsely; ovary superior, 3-locular, ovules numerous; stigma minute, capitate. Fruit a loculicidal capsule; seeds winged, angular, black.
About 10 species, in southern Africa; 1 naturalised in Australia.
Conran, J.G. (1994). Liliaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 637–686. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
