A delicate herb. It grows 60 cm high. Under the ground there is a tuber which produces above ground parts each year. There are usually 3-5 leaves growing from the base. They are very thin and narrow. They can be 20-60 cm long by 0.1 cm wide. The flowers have mauve to purple streaks. Flowers are about 2 cm across. Usually 1 or 2 flowers occur together on the end of 60 cm long stalks. The fruit are round papery capsules. They are 0.5 cm across. There are several black seeds inside.