Slender tufted plants, 15–40 cm. tall, from a short, sometimes moniliform rhizome, carrying the fibrous remains of old leaf-bases; roots thin and wiry, with tubers 1–2 cm. long.. Leaves subdistichous, green to olive-green, linear, 20–45 cm. long, 4–9 mm. wide, sheathing below, erect but drooping in upper parts, somewhat canaliculate with a distinct midrib, margin distinctly ciliate; cataphylls ± membranous, sometimes with a characteristic white/green striping.. Peduncle slender, lax, glabrous, leafless, 5–30 cm. long.. Inflorescence a simple raceme; rhachis slightly papillose, often drooping; floral bracts, small, membranous, ovate, cuspidate, 1–4 mm. long, sometimes ciliate along margin.. Pedicels articulated near the base, very thin, glabrous, 5–12 mm. long at anthesis, 2–4-nate at the lower nodes.. Tepals patent, white, with greenish to brownish stripes on the outside, 5–9 mm. long, 3-veined.. Stamens shorter than the perianth; filaments linear, scabrous to papillate, ± 5 mm. long; anthers 2 mm., curved at anthesis.. Style straight, as long as the perianth.. Capsule pendent, deeply 3-lobed, slightly transversely ridged, 10–15 mm. long, 6–10 mm. wide, triangular in longitudinal section, broadest at the distal end, emarginate, with remnants of the perianth at the base.. Seeds thin, flat, black, 3–4 mm. in diameter.
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