Habit: Terrestrial, Herbaceous, Perennials

Roots: Rhizomes, Bulbs, Roots contractile, Sap clear

Stems: elongate, contracted, rounded, solid

Leaves: Leaves - sheathing at base, Leaves - sheath open, Leaves - simple, Leaves - cauline, Leaves - basal (rosette), Leaves - alternate, Leaves - 2-ranked (distichous), Leaves - spiral, Leaves - linear or filiform (grass-like), Leaves - venetion parallel, Leaves - soft, Leaves - margins entire

Inflorescence: terminal, scapose, racemes, spikes, Flowers pedicellate

Flowers: Flowers bisexual, Perianth present, Flowers small, Flowers large and showy, Flowers 3 merous, Flowers actinomorphic, Floral bracteoles present

Sepals/Tepals: Tepals 6 (Sepals indistinguishable from petals)

Petals/Tepals: Petals 6, Petals united into tube, Petals basally united, Petals mostly separate, Petals white (to pinkish), Petals blue to purple

Stamens: Stamens 6 (3+3)

Pistil: Carpels united, Carpels 3, Ovary superior, Styles 1, Stigma terminal capitate or trilobed, Locules 3, Placentation axile

Fruit: Fruit - capsule

Seeds: Seeds - numerous per locule, Seeds - surface +/- smooth, Seeds - round or ellipsoid, Seeds - compressed or flattened, Seeds - black (phytomelan)