Plant to 20 cm tall, usually less than 10 cm. Leaves 3, well separated; lowest leaf filiform or linear, to 2 mm wide; middle and upper leaves successively shorter, with dilated lamina bases. Inflorescence open; flowers 1-10, bisexual. Perianth 7-9 mm long; tepals 6, connate for less than a fifth of length, white or faintly pink-tinged; nectary 1 per tepal 1/3 from base, conspicuously thickened, raised at sides, grooved in middle for filament, deep pink. Stamens 2/3-3/4 as long as perianth; anthers c. 1 mm long, red to purple. Styles free.
Grows mainly in limestone and calcareous sand near the coast but is known from several locations inland, growing in clayey soils, usually seasonally damp.
Home