Description

Aquatic herbs, arising from tubers. Leaves basal, alternate, simple, submerged, aerial or with a floating lamina. Spikes exserted, simple or forked, enveloped in bud by a hood-shaped spathe. Flowers bisexual or female, actinomorphic. Perianth segments 1-3, petaloid, white, pink, red, mauve or yellow. Stamens 6-16, free. Carpels 2-8, free, sessile; ovules 2-8. Fruit a follicle, opening on the adaxial side. Seeds fusiform, in some species with a spongy outer covering.