Perennial herb, growing from a large bulb 10-15 cm wide. Leaves distichous, sheathing at the base forming a distinct false stem up to 30 cm high. Widest leaves 6.5-14 cm broad getting narrower with the uppermost only c. 1 cm broad; margin ciliate; most leaves usually dying off at the apex. Flowering stem robust, 35-45 cm long. Spathe valves c. 10 cm long, reflexed. Inflorescence 13-40-flowered; pedicels 1.5-4.5 cm long; tube slender, 7-12 cm long; perianth segments linear c. 6-7 cm long and 1 cm wide, recurved, white to pink;stames arcuate, erect reddish in the upper portion and anthers yellow; style deep red in upper part. Fruit distinctly beaked.