Herbs perennial, bulbiferous. Bulb of many imbricate, fleshy scales, white, without a tunic. Stem erect. Cauline leaves alternate or whorled, sessile, linear-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate. Inflorescence a terminal, 1- to several-flowered raceme; bracts 1--3. Tepals 6, free, usually with dark spots or blotches, usually papillose at apex; inner ones with nectary processes on both sides (rarely on 1 or neither side) of a short, median channel at base adaxially. Stamens 6, inserted at base of tepals; filaments often swollen, fleshy and cylindric proximally, sometimes subulate; anthers versatile. Ovary cylindric, 3-loculed; ovules many per locule. Style clavate, widened apically; stigma capitate. Fruit a capsule. Seeds narrowly winged all round.

Seven species: China, India, Myanmar; six species (two endemic) in China.

(Authors: Liang Songyun (梁松筠 Liang Song-jun); Minoru N. Tamura)