Tough herb 1–1.5 m high, with thick creeping rhizome. Leaves linear-ensiform, ± equal to inflorescence, 4–7 cm wide, green and finely longitudinally striated-pruinose. Inflorescence several times branched in upper half; outer spathaceous bracts 2–3 cm long, inner 4–6 cm long. Flowers to c. 9 cm across, opening for 1 day, white with bright yellow nectar guide at base of limb of outer perianth lobes. Outer perianth lobes 4.5–5 cm long, 3.5–4 cm wide, obtuse; inner lobes slightly smaller, narrower, ± acute. Style 1–1.5 cm long; crests 4–5 mm long, blunt. Capsule ellipsoidal-globose, 3–4 cm long, to c. 2.5 cm wide, gradually dehiscing and rotting from the top down. Seeds ± flat, triangular, c. 10 mm long, black.
Uncommon, but locally abundant, in the margins of forests, from near the sea to the mountain tops (rare north of Intermediate Hill). Thrives in open sunny areas such as mountain cliff ledges and ridges in the open (Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) 2007: 149).
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