Herbs, perennial. Rhizomes erect. Roots fibrous. Stems 2-4, caespitose, glabrous. Basal leaves ca. 10; cauline leaves 2, opposite, both basal and cauline leaves ternate or biternate. Cymes with 3-5 flowers in an interrupted spike; lowest cymes long pedunculate, in axils of cauline leaves; flowers small. Calyx cup-shaped, fleshy, often 3-lobed; lobes saccate and closed, narrowly winged on ridge. Corolla rotate, 3- or 4-lobed; tube short. Fertile stamens equal to corolla lobes in number, inserted at throat of corolla, alternate with corolla lobes, 2-fid to base; anthers 1-celled, extrorse; staminodes equal to fertile ones in number, opposite to corolla lobes. Carpels 2; ovary ovoid-globose, semi-inferior, 1-loculed; ovules solitary, pendulous; styles absent; stigmas solitary, dotted.

● One species: China.

(Authors: Hong Deyuan (洪德元); David E. Boufford)