There are annual and perennial species. The leaves are divided into three to ten or more round, heart-or spear leaves form a whorl, all leaves are equal in size. Most species have three petals, in the form of these types of leaves is very similar to that of some clovers, though in the clover leaves are arranged in a whorl and are not identical in form - two of them are smaller, and the third - greater and located in the center. The angle of placement of leaves in some species depend on the amount of light.

Colors consist of five petals, usually associated at the base, and ten stamens; colors of the petals are white, pink, red or yellow. The fruits are small capsules, containing several seeds. Tuberous roots are often, but some species are propagated vegetatively by the formation of secondary bulbil, which grows by releasing a new plant.