Tofieldiaceae

Non-woody (herbaceous), perennials of seepy calcium-rich sites and fens, with rhizomes. Leaves linear, mostly basal, erect, arranged in 2 rows, one row on either side of the stem.

Flowers white, unstalked, in clusters of 3, forming dense spike-like heads at the top of a long stalk that has many dome-shaped glands. Each flower radially symmetrical, and producing both pollen and seeds. Sepals and petals each 6, separate, persistent. Stamens 6, stalks strongly flattened, wider at base pollen-producing portion at tip (anther) often dark red. Carpels 3, forming 1 pistil with one 3-lobed ovary; ovary located above point of attachment of other flower parts (superior), on a short stalk; styles 3, short. Fruit capsules, smooth, often red, egg-shaped to broadly oval.