Fls mostly perfect in heads or cylindrical spikes, sts reduced to a single fl. Stamens inserted on corolla-tube, ovules 2 to many. Capsule circumscissile, 1- to many-seeded. Terrestrial herbs; bases of petioles including tufts of long woolly or silky hairs in many spp. Mostly protogynous and wind-pollinated. About 200 spp. mostly in temperate regions. N.Z. spp. endemic except 2; several widespread European spp. are thoroughly naturalized.

n = 48

2n = 96

Annual or perennial herbs. Stems usually simple and very short, forming a caudex (rootstock) at or below ground level, sometimes elongated and branched, often with long hairs, occasionally woody and forming small subshrubs. Primary root persistent, or short-lived with subsequent adventitious root system. Lvs usually in basal rosettes, sometimes cauline, opposite or alternate. Fls in heads or cylindric spikes, rarely solitary, 4-merous, usually ☿ and protogynous, sometimes unisexual; sepals similar to bracts, equal or not, free or connate at base. Corolla scarious or membranous; tube narrow, persisting at fr. apex; lobes usually patent or deflexed. Stamens epipetalous, usually exserted but included in cleistogamous fls. Ovary 2-locular, but sometimes appearing 4-locular by placental outgrowths; placentation axile. Ovules 1-6-(8) per loculus; style filiform. Capsule circumscissile, enclosed in persistent calyx. Seeds 1-many, ± mucilaginous when wet.