Bulbous or rarely fibrous herbs, sometimes caulescent. Leaves ensiform or linear. Flowers solitary, umbellate or paniculate, frequently emerging from spathaceous bracts. Perianth superior, 6-lobed, variously formed, and often furnished with a corona at the top of the tube. Stamens 6, inserted upon the perianth and frequently united into a cup, or with intermediate staminodes. Fruit capsular and 3-celled, dehiscing loculicidally, or baccate and 1- to 3-seeded. Seeds albuminous. This order numbers about 70 genera and 400 species, found in nearly all temperate and tropical regions.