Named for the Tasmanian naturalist Joseph Milligan (1807–1883).

Perennial, clump-forming herbs with short rhizomes and fleshy roots. Leaves perennial in a rosette, sheathing, linear, with silky hair-like scales. Flowers bisexual, star-shaped, radially symmetrical, stalked, stalks not articulated. Inflorescences terminal, erect, many flowered dense panicles. Tepals 3+3, fused into a short tube, silky-hairy. Stamens 3+3, equal, attached at mouth of tube. Fruit a capsule. Seeds ovoid, black.

5 species endemic to Tasmania.

The rosette leaves from short rhizomes, and panicles of densely packed bisexual basally fused, silky haired flowers.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Asteliaceae. 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.