Perennial herb, geophyte, 0.10-0.22 m high; corm ovoid, tunics with imbricate layers; stem erect, simple or bearing bracts at base. Leaves 3 or 4, basal or uppermost inserted shortly above ground, sheathing, margins hyaline, slightly raised. Bracts 15-20 mm long, herbaceous, margins hyaline. Inflorescence a 2-6-flowered spike, flexuose; flowers white, often pink or brownish on reverse of tepals, salver-shaped; perianth tube 12-18 mm long, exserted, straight, cylindrical; tepals ovate. Stamens up to 20 mm long; filaments 5-8 mm long; anthers 8-12 mm long, articulated. Ovary 4-5 mm long; style branches up to 16 mm long. Flowering time Aug.-Oct. Capsule ovoid.
Cormous geophyte, up to 220 mm high. Leaves with blade broad, leathery, glabrous, margins and midrib prominent. Flowers: open late afternoon and close after dark; stamens erect, filaments 3-6 mm long, anthers 3-9 mm long, yellow to whitish; style branches ascending to spreading, as long as or longer than stamens; perianth with tube 14-22 mm long, segments 15-20 mm long, white; Aug.-Oct.