Description: Tufted, cormous herbs; roots fleshy.
Leaves sessile; lamina flat or longitudinally pleated, sheath papery; sometimes pseudopetiolate.
Inflorescences spicate, axillary, 1–10-flowered, bracteate, with short peduncle. Perianth fused with style at base forming a long narrow column above ovary; lobes 6. Stamens 6, ± attached to style. Ovary 2- or 3-locular; ovules few per loculus; lower part of style fused with perianth, 3-branched.
Fruit capsule-like, fleshy, indehiscent, or irregularly dehiscent by rupture; seeds ovoid, rostrate, striate or nearly smooth.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 10 species, tropical regions. Australia: 1 species (endemic).
Text by P. G. Richards
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Curculigo ensifolia |
|
