Stems erect distally, procumbent proximally, 1--3 m × ca. 1 cm. Leaf sheaths overlapping in distal part of stem, densely brownish yellow hirsute; leaf blade elliptic, ca. 30 × 5--10 cm, adaxially sparsely hispid or glabrous, abaxially yellow hirsute along veins or throughout, base cuneate, apex caudate-acuminate. Heads with up to 10 flowers, to 3 cm in diam. in fruit. Sepals ovate-oblong, ca. 6 × 4 mm, subglabrous. Petals pale purple-red. Capsule ovoid, trigonous, 10--15 × ca. 5 mm, much longer than persistent sepals, sparsely brown-hirsutulous, conical-tapered at apex. Seeds ca. 4 × 2.5 mm, rugose. Fl. Jun--Jul.