Schoenolirion

noun

Herbs, perennial, scapose, glabrous, from rootstocks; rootstock vertical, 1-12 cm, fleshy, sometimes bulbose; principal roots contractile, arising from tops of rootstocks. Bulbs, when present, ovoid or elongate, scales lunate. Leaves 2-7, basal; blade flat to nearly terete, sometimes keeled. Inflorescences racemose or 1-3(-6) -branched, bracteate, flowers initially crowded, internodes elongating after anthesis. Flowers soon deciduous if unfertilized; tepals persistent, withering separately to base, distinct, yellow or white, each 3-7-veined, equal, 2-6 mm; stamens 6; filaments equal, shorter than tepals, 1-2 mm, inner 3 nectariferous at base; anthers introrse; ovary superior, globose, 3-lobed, 3-locular, placentation axile, ovules 2 per locule; style 1; stigma unlobed or slightly 3-lobed; pedicel 6-15(-30 mm). Fruits capsular, dehiscent, flattened or indented at top, prominently 3-lobed. Seeds glossy black, globose, flattened on 1 side, smooth. x = 12.