Bulbs rhizomatous, occasionally branching dichotomously at 120° from main axis, 2.4–2.8 × 5.2–8.6 cm, 0.3–0.5 times taller than long, 2–3 years’ growth evident as annual bulbs, scaleless sections between these 0.3–2.5 cm; scales unsegmented, longest 1.1–1.9 cm; stem roots absent or sometimes present. Stems 0.6–1.6 m. Buds ± triangular in cross section. Leaves often concentrated proximally, occasionally scattered, usually in 1–12 whorls or partial whorls, 3–11(–15) leaves per whorl, barely to moderately ascending proximally, drooping at tips or not, ascending and appressed distally, 2.3–10.3(–12.2) × 0.8–2.4 cm, 1.6–7.6(–10.3) times longer than wide; blade narrowly elliptic, margins not undulate, apex acute, barely acuminate on distal leaves; veins and margins ± smooth abaxially. Inflorescences racemose, 1–7-flowered. Flowers pendent, not fragrant; perianth Turk’s-cap-shaped; sepals and petals reflexed 1/5–1/4 along length from base, yellow (occasionally pale yellow or yellow-orange) proximally, red-orange or dusky red (occasionally magenta, pinkish, pale orange, or red) distally, spotted magenta, not distinctly clawed, nectaries exposed, forming visible green star (or triangle, when only sepal nectaries are exposed); sepals with 2 parallel, often faint abaxial ridges, 6.7–8.9 × 1.1–1.7 cm; petals 6.3–8.7 × 1.5–2.2 cm; stamens strongly exserted; filaments parallel at first, then widely spreading, diverging 12°–28° from axis; anthers magenta or sometimes purple, 1.1–1.8 cm; pollen rust; pistil 3.4–6.4 cm; ovary 1.5–2.8 cm; style pale green, often spotted purple; pedicel 6.8–16.5 cm. Capsules 2.8–4.7 × 1.5–1.9 cm, 1.7–2.8 times longer than wide. Seeds not counted.
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