Perennial herb, geophyte, 0.8-2.0 m high; stem solitary or 2 or 3 tufted together; corm 30 mm in diam. Leaves linear, acute; venation pronounced; radical leaves 450-950 x (3-)4-6 mm; reduced sheathing leaves 5. Flowering stem 1-2 m high. Bracts white, slightly flecked, 18-32 x 7-10 mm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate. Inflorescence a raceme of spikes, pendulous, with 3-8 branches. Perianth dark red, 20-30 mm long; tube 6-12 mm long; tepals 13-20 x 5-9. Anthers 7.5-10.5 mm long. Flowering time Oct.-Feb.