Rhizomes freely branching, forming compact tufts, slender, 0.3–0.4 cm diam., covered with remains of old leaves; roots fibrous. Stems simple, solid, slender, 2–2.5 dm. Leaves: basal evergreen, abundant, blade dark, shining green on one side, lighter green on the other, pink to deep purple basally, 3.5 dm × 0.2–0.4 cm, longer than flowering stem, margins not thickened; cauline 2–4, sheathing stem for about 2/3 length, foliaceous, spreading, blade not inflated, 4–9 cm. Inflorescence units 1(–2)-flowered; spathes closely enclosing ovary and floral tube, broadly lanceolate to ovate, 3.3–6 cm × 5–7 mm, herbaceous, margins scarious. Flowers: perianth usually dark golden yellow, cream, pink, lavender, or purple, heavily veined purple or brown; floral tube 1.5–3 cm; sepals usually yellow with heavy veining, broadly oblanceolate, 4.5–6 × 1.7–3 cm, base gradually attenuate, margins often wavy; petals same color as sepals with lighter veining, narrowly oblanceolate, 4–5.7 × 0.9–1.6 cm, base gradually attenuate; ovary roundly triangular in cross section, 1.5–1.8 cm; style 2–2.6 cm, crests overlapping, subquadrate to semiovate, 0.9–1.4 cm, margins irregularly toothed; stigmas triangular, margins entire; pedicel 0.4–1.3 cm at anthesis. Capsules oblong-oval, circular in cross section, 2.5 × 1.2 cm. Seeds in 2 rows per locule, dark brown, oval, sharply angled, 3 mm, wrinkled, pitted. 2n = 40.
Can be grown by divisions or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.