Leaves upright to flat on soil surface, rather stiff (in shaded habitats more lax), mostly green but often brownish (to brown) with markings in sun-exposed habitats, lanceolate to strap-shaped, 10-30 × 0.5-1.5(-2.5) cm, smooth to somewhat finely undulate to crenulate along margin, entire or distinctly irregularly serrulate. During times of high water, leaves become small and terete, and when becoming emergent, leaves and spathes develop. Spathe with a tube 10-20 cm; limb with a rather long, somewhat tight to open spiral, usually grayish, mostly with shorter or longer purplish markings of varying intensities, but also a completely white limb has been found. Fl. Nov-Apr. 2n = 36, 54.