Plants 100-200 mm high, several-branched, branches subtended by bracts (1-)2-3 mm long, lower sometimes ± leaf-like and longer, stem ± flexuose, compressed and narrowly winged, sheathed below by 2 membranous, pale or light brown cataphylls. Corm obconic, 10-16 mm diam., tunics blackish, splitting vertically from base and apex. Leaves 2, lowermost inserted at ground level, largest, falcate, 80-150(-250) x 11-18 mm, obtuse to subacute, with prominent main vein and pair of secondary veins on either side almost as prominent, margins usually undulate and crisped, rarely ± straight; upper leaf inserted near middle of stem, (12-)25-45 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, margins straight, not or hardly sheathing at base. Inflorescence a congested, ± flat-topped false panicle, ultimate branchlets bearring (1)2-5 sessile flowers; bracts green, often red on margins, 6-10 mm long, obtuse or inner emarginate. Flowers actinomorphic, pale yellow to nearly white with purple or brown median triangular mark in basal 1/3 of each tepal, sometimes flushed dull purple or brown outside, not scented; perianth tube funnel-shaped, 6.5-8.0 mm long; tepals elliptic, obtuse, 14-15 x 5-6 mm. Stamens symmetrically disposed, diverging; filaments ± 10 mm long; anthers 3-4 mm long, yellow; pollen white to pale yellow. Style dividing between base and middle of anthers; style branches 2.5-3.5 mm long, divided for ± 1/2 their length. Capsules top-shaped and 3-lobed, 5-6 mm long, with up to 6 seeds per locule. Seeds ovoid, reticulately sculptured, red-brown, darker on ridges, 0.8-0.9 mm long with funicular appendage up to 0.4 mm long.
Home