Cormous herb, up to 2 m high; plants solitary, in small tufts, or in extensive colonies. Flowers: bracts 5-8 mm broad, veins crowded, tip of each bract reaching at least to base of second bract above it; anthers 5-8 mm long; perianth with segments up to 15 x 6.5 mm, bright pink, sometimes white; Nov.-Feb.