Perennial herb with a bulb-like corm. Leaves simple, entire, linear, basal. Flowers radially symmetrical, bisexual, several in a terminal raceme. Tepals 3+3, free or shortly fused; individual flower stalks not articulated. Stamens 3+3, attached to the tepals. Ovary inferior, 3- chambered with numerous ovules. Fruit a many-seeded, dry, dehiscent capsule. Seeds black.

Closely related families include Doryanthaceae and Iridaceae.

John Conran.

1 genus extending from Egypt through the Middle East to C Asia.

Cormous habit; corymbose inflorescences; flowers with inferior ovaries; nonarticulated individual flower stalks and black seeds.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Ixioliriaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.