Bulbs slender, 25–40 mm. Leaves 6–15 cm; blade green, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, margins ± wavy. Scape 7–20 cm. Inflorescences 1–6-flowered. Flowers: tepals white, bright yellow on proximal 1/3, pinkish purple in age, lanceolate, 10–20 mm, not auriculate at base; stamens 8–12 mm; filaments yellow, slender; anthers cream to yellow; style yellow, 4–5 mm; stigma ± unlobed. Capsules obovoid, 2–4 cm.
Found in moist situations in yellow pine and red fir forests at elevations of 1200-2400 metres. Open coniferous forests, meadows and rocky places, 1500-2700 metres.