Cormous geophyte up to15cm. Stem short or branching just above ground. Leaves 3-4, 1 or 2 clasping below, sometimes minutely hairy, 1-4mm in diameter. Flowers white or yellow, rarely pinkish, with a yellow cup, sometimes scented; inner bracts papery and membranous.

The peduncles of most species in the genus are highly mobile and bend down after pollination, straightening again when seeds are mature and ready to be shed.

Many of the species are highly communal forming brillliant carpets of colour when in flower. The flowers only open on warm sunny days usually around midday.