Description
Perennial herbs with short woody rhizome.
Leaves basal or also cauline, setaceous, subulate or flat, sheaths long, those of the cauline leaves often tubular, dark;
Inflorescence paniculate, narrow.
Flowers usually 2, close together, the lower male or functionally male (gynaeceum abortive), the upper bisexual.
Stamens 3,4, 6, or 8;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present, Australasia, extra-tropical S. Africa present
About 35 spp., most of them in extra-tropical S. Africa, a few in Australia, in Malesia 1 sp. in Borneo.
Citation
BOECK. 1874 – In: Linnaea. p 253
NEES 1835 – In: Linnaea. p 298
LEVYNS 1947 – In: J. S. Afr. Bot. p 73
Clarke 1898 – In: Fl. Cap. p 275
BAILLON 1894 – In: Hist. PL. p 374
B. & H. 1883 – In: Gen. Pl. p 1063
KÜK. 1940 – In: Fedde, Rep. 48. p 195
TURRILL 1925: Kew Bull. p 72
