Habit: herbs, shrubs, woody vines
Leaves: alternate, whorled, all basal (opposite), simple, usually with sheathing bases
Plants: synoecious (rarely polygamous or dioecious)
Flowers: perfect (rarely imperfect), usually regular
Sepals: 3 (2-5), distinct or connate, often petaloid
Petals: 3 (2-5), distinct or adnate to sepals, mostly petaloid
Stamens: 6 (3-12), distinct or filaments connate, free or epipetalous
Ovary: 3 (2-5) carpels, connate to distinct, superior (rarely inferior or 1/2 inferior), 3 (2-5) locules, 1-many axile ovules per locule (rarely with parietal placentation), styles often 3 or 1
Fruit: capsule, berry, samara