Colchicum asteroides (J.C.Manning & Goldblatt) J.C.Manning & Vinn.

Stemless perennial with indistinguishable internodes and leaves in basal rosette. Corm ovoid, 10-15 mm diam.; tunics dark brown, coriaceous. Cataphyll single, 70-110 mm long, translucent, papery in texture. Leaves ± 8, spreading, lanceolate, (60-)90-110 x (3-)10-18 mm, but expanding up to 25 mm wide at base, attenuate, amplexicaul, upper leaves widening more conspicuously towards base than lower, spirally inserted, glaucous green, lightly canaliculate with depressed median vein, margins ciliolate, grading into floral leaves; fertile floral leaves shorter and broader at base than foliage leaves, partially encircling flowers but not obscuring them, suberect or incurved. Flowers 2-6, sessile, not or slightly protruding above crown of plant; perianth ±10 mm diam., white, unscented; tepals unequal, inner slightly smaller than outer, (13-)15-17 mm long, limb flat or lightly concave, ovate, 8-9 x 4-6 mm, claw oblong-cuneate, 6-8 x 2-3 mm. Stamens included; filaments arcuate, 4-5 mm long, greenish yellow; anthers 2 mm long, yellow; nectary wider than filament base, ovate with central keel, 1.2 mm diam., greenish yellow. Ovary obovoid, 3-lobed, 5-6 mm long, white flushed green above, stylules 6 mm long, white, stigmas elongate, 1 mm long. Capsule subglobose, coriaceous, 17 mm long. Seeds subglobose, 2.0-2.5 mm diam., dark brown, testa rugulose.