Tofieldiaceae

By: Prabin Bhandari

Perennial rhizomatous herbs. Leaves basal, distichous, laterally compressed. Scape erect, slender. Inflorescence racemose, bracteate, bearing flowers with distinct pedicels. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, subtended by cupular, 3-lobed bracteoles. Perianth segments 6, free, persistent. Stamens 6, inserted beneath the perianth lobes, slightly exserted; anthers basifixed. Ovary superior, 3-loculed, fused at base; styles 3, free; stigmas 3. Fruit a capsule, apically 3-lobed. Seeds linear-oblong, reddish-brown.

Worldwide 4 genera and 30 species, in the temperate Northern Hemisphere and tropical America.

One genus (Tofieldia) and one species in Nepal.