Glabrous hysteranthous geophyte, with a tuberous root ± 3 × 2 cm. tapering abruptly into a long tap-root and with several horizontal to ascending lateral roots; subterranean caudex tapering from the root, ± 3 × 1 cm., closely covered with tessellated leaf-scars.. Leaves oblong, to ± 5.5 × 3.5 cm., spreading above ground; petiole to 2.5 cm. long.. Cymes appearing before the leaves, on peduncles to 2 cm. long, 2–4(–7)-forked, with cyme-branches to 1 cm. long; bracts ovate, ± 3 × 2 mm., pinkish buff.. Cyathia ± 2 × 3 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; lobes subquadrate, 0.5 mm. long, deeply 3–4-toothed; glands 5, with 4 transversely elliptic, ± 0.75 × 1 mm., plus 1 divided into subcircular halves 0.5 mm. in diameter, brownish yellow, all quite separate.. Male flowers: bracteoles very few, linear; stamens 2.5 mm. long.. Female flowers: styles 1 mm. long, joined at the base, spreading, apices distinctly bifid, thickened.. Capsule 3-lobed, exserted on a pedicel to 5 mm. long, ± 2.5 × 3 mm.. Seeds ovoid, 1.5 × 1.2 mm., brown, tuberculate.. Fig. 99.
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