Perennial herbs. Rhizomes 3–7 mm in diam., ascending. Leaves basal, numerous, tufted apex of rhizome, variable in size, some leaves reduced to scales and covering stem base; petiole ± as long as leaf blade, apically narrowly winged; leaf blade ovate-oblong, 7–12(–15) × 3.5–6(–9) cm, papery, abaxially pale green and glabrous or occasionally white pubescent along veins, adaxially green, base rounded and abruptly narrowed and attenuate into petiole, margin ciliate particularly towards apex, apex acute; secondary veins 5–9 on each side of midvein, conspicuous. Scapes 1–6, slender, ca. 2/3 leaf length in flower but elongating in fruit; bracts 2, lanceolate, ca. 2 cm. Flowers nodding, 2–2.5 cm in diam.; bracteoles 3, directly below calyx. Sepal green or slightly purplish, ovate, ca. 10 × 4–5 mm, apex acute, veined. Corolla white or pink, veined; tube shorter than 1 mm; lobes obovate, ca. 8 mm in diam., apically with small rounded teeth. Stamens slightly exserted from corolla; anthers and filaments ± equal in length; staminodes conspicuous but small, scalelike. Ovary ovoid. Style longer than stamens, elongated after flowering; stigma capitate to slightly 3-lobed. Capsule obovate-oblanceolate, ca. 7 × 4 mm; covered by persistent calyx; stigma persistent, erect or slightly flexed. Fl. Feb–Mar, fr. Apr–May.
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