Plants colonial by elongated, extensive rhizomes.
Leaves sessile or subsessile.
Inflorescences terminal; bracts present.
Flowers hypanthium lobes white to pinkish; stamens 5, opposite lobes, bases with a tuft of hair; styles 1, stigma lobes 2–4.
Fruits drupes.
Europe, North America. 2 species; 1 species treated in Flora.