Perennial herbs. Roots fibrous,
sometimes bearing tubers. Leaves rosulate with tubular bases which often persist as a sheath of fibres; lamina flat or subterete,
narrow. Inflorescence an axillary, simple or compound raceme. Pedicels not articulated. Perianth rotate, white or occasionally dull yellowish, with 1 dark central vein. Filaments retrorsely scabrid. Ovary sessile. Capsule spherical to
oblong. Derivation of name: From the Greek: Trachyos rough and andros, male; referring to the rough filaments Worldwide: 65 species in tropical and South Africa and Madagascar Zimbabwe: 3 taxa. |