Named for the botanical artist J. Sowerby (1757–1822).

Perennial or evergreen, clump-forming herbs with fibrous or tuberous roots. Leaves basal, linear, sheathing, ligulate. Flowers radially symmetrical, stalked, individual flower stalks not articulated. Inflorescence a many-flowered umbel. Tepals 3+3, 1 nerved, free, not twisting spirally when withered. Stamens 3, staminodes 3, free; anthers dehiscing along the side. Ovary superior, ovoid. Fruit a capsule. Seeds angular, black, without appendages.

5 species endemic to Australia.

Herbaceous clumps with linear, ligulate leaves umbellate inflorescences with nonarticulated pink flowers and 3 staminodes.

Henderson (1992b).

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