Greek di – two, chele – a claw, stemon – stamen, referring to the bifid sterile stamens of some species.

Perennial, cormous, tunicate herb. Leaves linear, keeled, sheathing, veins prominent. Flowers funnel to bell-shaped. Inflorescence a several-flowered umbel, terminal. Tepals 3+3, fused basally, inner 3 lobes wider. Stamens 3+3 or 3 plus 3 sterile stamens, all fused to tepal tube. Ovary ovoid, not stalked; stigma 3-lobed. Fruit a capsule. Seeds numerous, black.

Sometimes cultivated as spring bulb ornamentals on well-drained soil.

7 species from western North America.

Cormous plant with an umbel, anthers free but with a basal cup.

Hoover (1940a), Niehaus (1980), Keator (1991).

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