Rhizomes freely branching, forming large colonies, slender, 0.8–0.9 cm diam., covered with remains of old leaves; roots fibrous. Stems 1–4-branched, solid, 1.5–7 dm. Leaves: basal with blade yellow-green, occasionally darker green, sometimes flushed pink or red basally, prominently ribbed, linear, 4.5–10 dm × 2 cm, apex acute; cauline 1–3, reduced. Inflorescence units (2–)3-flowered, branch units 2–3-flowered; spathes opposite or separated, divergent, green, sometimes flushed purple basally, lanceolate-acuminate, 6–12 cm × 7–12 mm. Flowers: perianth deep red-purple, lavender, gray-blue, cream, or white, with gold signal and blue or purple veins; floral tube 1.5–2.8 cm, usually widening to bowl shape at base of flower; sepals oblanceolate to obovate, 5–9 × 1.4–3 cm, base gradually attenuate, apex obtusely rounded; petals oblanceolate, 4.5–7 × 0.9–1.8 cm, base attenuate to narrow claw; ovary elliptic-oval, sharply triangular in cross section, 3–4 cm; style 1.7–3.5 cm; crests overlapping, subquadrate, 1–2 cm, margins coarsely toothed; stigmas triangular; pedicel 2–5 cm. Capsules sharply triangular in cross section with ridge at each angle, tapering at both ends, remnant of floral tube forming tip at apex, 2.5–5 cm. Seeds dark brown, pyriform, wrinkled. 2n = 40.
Can be grown by divisions or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.