Herbs, perennial, sometimes from bulbs; bulb coat membranous or
fibrous-reticulate. Stems scapelike or leafy, simple or
branched, glabrous, often glaucous; bulblets sometimes borne in
leaf axils. Leaves sessile; basal persistent or withering by
flowering, solitary, blade base sometimes attenuate and
petiolelike; cauline 0-several, sometimes proximalmost appearing
as basal, reduced. Inflorescences monochasiate or ± umbellate,
1-many-flowered, bracteate. Flowers: perianth globose to broadly
campanulate; sepals 3, distinct, ovate to lanceolate, usually
petaloid and glabrous; petals 3, distinct, usually longer and
broader than sepals, sometimes clawed, usually hairy adaxially,
bearing adaxial gland near base, often spotted to ± patterned;
filaments widened at base; anthers usually basifixed or
pseudobasifixed, linear to oblong; ovary superior; style absent;
stigmas 3. Fruits capsular, 3-locular, 3-angled or -winged,
linear, oblong, or globular, dehiscence septicidal. Seeds many,
in 2 rows per locule, irregular or