Greek thysanotos – with a fringe, referring to the inner tepals.
Perennial or evergreen rhizomatous herbs, rarely shrubs or leafless climbers, with tuberous or fibrous roots. Leaves basal, linear, sheathing, sometimes absent. Flowers radially symmetrical, stalked, individual flower stalks articulated. Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered umbel. Tepals 3+3, 3 nerved, free, not twisting spirally when withered; inner 3 broad and fimbriate-margined. Stamens 3+3 or 3 reduced to staminodes, free; anthers dehiscing by apical pores. Ovary superior, ovoid. Fruit a capsule. Seeds angular, black, with appendages.
About 50 species native to Australia, 2 extending to SE Asia.
Inner 3 tepals strongly fringed, 3+3 anthers or 3 anthers + 3 staminodes and seeds with appendages.
Brittan (1981, 1983).
Source: (2005). Laxmanniaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.