Habit: Terrestrial, Herbaceous, Saprophytes (lack chlorophyll), Perennials

Roots: Rhizomes, Sap clear

Stems: elongate, rounded, solid

Leaves: Leaves absent or scale-like, Leaves - simple, Leaves - cauline, Leaves - alternate, Leaves - spiral, Leaves - venetion parallel, Leaves - margins entire

Inflorescence: terminal, bracteate, racemes, Flowers pedicellate

Flowers: Flowers unisexual, Plants monoecious, Flowers bisexual, Perianth present, Flowers small, Flowers 3 merous, Flowers actinomorphic, Floral bracteoles present

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

Petals/Tepals: Petals 3, Petals 4, Petals 6, Petals basally united, Petals mostly separate, Petals white (to pinkish), Petals yellow, Petals orange to red

Stamens: Stamens 2, Stamens 3, Stamens 6 (3+3)

Pistil: Carpels separate (apocarpous), Carpels many, Ovary superior, Styles 1, Stigma terminal capitate or trilobed, Locules 1, Placentation basal (or apical)

Fruit: Fruit - achene (nutlet), Fruit - follicle, Fruit 1-seeded

Seeds: Seeds - single per locule, Seeds - lacking tuft of hair, Seeds - round or ellipsoid