Perennial herb 30-80 cm tall, dormant in winter. Leaves linear, flat. Spike erect with 4-6 fragrant flowers in 2 rows. Spathe narrow, wrapped around tube. Perianth white; tube 7-10 cm long, narrow, curved near top, purple externally; segments equal, 3-4 cm long, spreading, all with purple-brown darts; outer ones acute, the inner obtuse; early autumn. Syn. Acidanthera bicolor Hochst.

E Africa from Malawi to Ethiopia.

Source: Cooke, D. (2005). Iridaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press. (as Gladiolus callianthus)