Very robust plants 60–200 cm., from a thick moniliform rhizome, carrying the fibrous remains of old leaf-bases; roots spongy, extensive, without tubers.. Leaves several, basal, distichous (might appear more rosulate in older stages), linear to narrowly lanceolate, 45–100 cm. long, 1.5–3 cm. wide, acute, sheathing below, margin often shortly ciliate, with a ± distinct midrib.. Peduncle terete, glabrous, up to 1 m. long and with a diameter of ± 1 cm. at the base, with clasping bract-like leaves, 4–15 cm. long, along its entire length.. Inflorescence usually a simple raceme, up to 65 cm. long, sometimes with a few basal branches (when grown in a green house, the branching may become more extensive); rhachis glabrous; floral bracts, ovate, cuspidate, 10–30 mm. long, sometimes ciliate along margin.. Pedicels articulated near or below the middle, green below and whitish above the articulation, glabrous, 4–9 mm. long, 2–4-nate at the lower nodes.. Tepals spreading, subequal, 3-veined, white with greenish stripe on the outside, 12–17 mm. long, 4–6 mm. wide, the outer slightly narrower than the inner.. Stamens subequal, as long as the perianth; filaments fusiform, glabrous, 8–10 mm. long; anthers 5–8 mm., slightly curved apically atanthesis.. Style declinate, exserted.. Capsule deeply 3-lobed in cross-section, smooth, 9–14 mm. long, 7–9 mm. wide, with the perianth persistent at the base.. Seeds thin, flat, black, 2.5–4 mm. in diameter.
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