Mostly perennial herbs or subshrubs, occasionally arborescent, sometimes annual. Lvs simple, often in basal rosettes, sometimes densely tufted on branches or alternate along stems, often 0 at flowering. Infl. a cymose panicle, sometimes flattened, or fls in bracteate, ± secund spikelets which are sometimes aggregated into elongated spikes, often with a scale at the base of each branch. Fls 1-5 in spikelets, each spikelet with 3 bracteoles. Calyx campanulate or funnelform, 10-ribbed at base; limb scarious, usually coloured, sometimes dentate between lobes, persistent. Corolla tube short or almost 0; segments clawed. Stamens adnate to base of corolla segments. Styles 5, free or connate at base; stigmas filiform. Fr. with circumscissile or irregular dehiscence.