Thulin, M. (1995) Hypoxidaceae in Flora of Somalia 4: 30-31
Plants corm-forming herbs; corms covered by a coat of fibres. Leaves in a basal rosette, usually in 3 ranks, linear to lanceolatee, prominently parall-veined, often hairy. Inflorescences on leafless peduncles, spikes, racemes, umbel-like clusters or of solitary flowers. Flowers radially symmetric, bisexual; tepals 4-6, free or more or less united, usually hairy outside; stamens (3-)6, attached at the base of the tepals; filaments linear; anthers with 2 thecase, longitudinally dehiscent; ovaries inferior, 2-3-celled; styles simple, short; ovules numerous. Fruits capsules; seeds small, globose, black, with endosperm.
The family Hypoxidaceae includes 7-9 genera and 100-220 species. It is most abundant in the southern hemisphere.