Greek a – without; nema – thread or filament; rhena – sheep or lamb; possibly referring to the sessile anthers.

Perennial rhizomatous herbs with thick roots. Leaves perennial in a basal rosette, sheathing, linear. Flowers tubular, radially symmetrical, stalked, stalks articulated. Inflorescences terminal, erect, spike-like many-flowered panicle.Tepals 3+3, fused into a tube. Stamens 3, attached to inside of tepal tube. Fruit a dehiscent capsule. Seeds angular, black.

1 species from China, Japan and Korea.

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