Plants 20–90(–130) cm. Corms usually globose to subglobose, sometimes ovoid to elongate. Stems glabrous. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 3–5-nerved, linear to linear-oblanceolate, 100–400 × 1–3(–5) mm, gradually reduced distally or abruptly on distal 1/2 of stems, essentially glabrous (bases of basal usually fibrous-persistent). Heads in dense, spiciform arrays. Peduncles 0. Involucres cylindro-turbinate, 6–7(–10) × ca. 3 mm. Phyllaries in 3–4 series, (often purple) oblong-oblanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, unequal, essentially glabrous, margins with hyaline borders, ciliolate, apices (erect or ± appressed) acuminate to acute. Florets (2–)3–4(–5); corolla tubes glabrous inside. Cypselae 4–4.5 mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate to subplumose. 2n = 20.
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