Herbs perennial. Rhizomes subglobose or tuberous. Leaves 3--20, basal, sessile. Flowering stems shorter than leaves, slender, usually pilose. Inflorescences terminal, umbellate or racemose, few flowered or flower solitary. Perianth segments free, persistent. Stamens inserted at base of perianth segments; filament short; anther nearly basifixed. Style short; stigma 3-lobed. Fruit a capsule.

Between 50 and 100 species: widely distributed in both hemispheres (absent from Europe); one species in China.