Some tubers are grown as agricultural products and some species are cultivated as large ornamental grasses in landscaping. Fossil plant parts from the Eocene. Inflorescence as a spike or spikelet. Fruit as an achene. Seed often triangle shaped, with a 'mealy' endosperm.
Placentation is basal.
Often in wet areas and with a distinctive three-sided, solid stem. Leaves simple and linear, alternate or basal with closed sheath or ligule present.