Description: Perennial herbs with annual leaves and flowers; corm ± globose, tunic fibrous and usually extended in a short neck.
Leaves several, basal, mostly folded longitudinally, usually oblong to lanceolate, pubescent, abruptly contracted into narrow sheathing petiole. Scape short, erect; spike short, 3–many-flowered; bracts paired, subequal, the inner 2-fid, pubescent or glabrous; spathes 1-flowered.
Flowers actinomorphic or zygomorphic. Perianth tube straight or slightly curved, cylindrical at base, funnel-shaped above, lobes ± equal. Stamens inserted on tube, with anthers regularly spaced around style or grouped to 1 side of it; anthers basifixed, lanceolate. Style branches 3, entire.
Capsule oblong to globose; seeds numerous.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 60 species, southern & tropical Africa, Socotra. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Text by T. A. James & E. A. Brown
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Babiana stricta |
|
