Herbs, perennial, scapose, from fibrous-coated corms. Leaves several, basal; blade linear, channeled. Scape solitary, cylindrical. Inflorescences umbellate, terminal, bracteate; bracts 3, lanceolate. Flowers: perianth 6-tepaled, distinctly connate proximally into tube, tube funnelform, slightly less to ca. 1/2 overall length of tepals; tepals similar; stamens 6, epitepalous; filaments erect, dilated their entire length, conate into a nectariferous tube with erect, 2-fid apical filament appendages forming a crown between anthers; anthers basifixed, introrse; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary superior, sessile, 3-locular, ovules several; style persistent, long, slender; stigma small, 3-lobed; pedicel not articulate, ± stout. Fruits capsular, 3-angled, subglobose, dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds black, flat, coat with crust.

The distribution of the species in this genus is poorly documented (S. D. White et al. 1996). Recent molecular and morphological evidence suggests that Androstephium is closely related to Muilla (J. C. Pires 2000).