Alternative names: Not Applicable

Description:
Erect or creeping herbs; leaves parallel-veined, with sheathing bases.

Flowers usually small, bisexual, axillary, in small spikes, racemes of panicles; sepals 3, imbricate; petals 3, coloured; stamens 6, but some often barren, the perfect or fertile ones having usually 2-celled anthers opening in slits; ovary superior, 2- or 3-celled; ovules orthotropous, attached to the axile placentas; style simple.

Fruit a capsule.

Distribution:  About 40 genera and about 500 species, mainly in warm areas.

Biology: No text

Author: Prepared by J.P. Jessop