Perennial herb to about 2 m. Stems grey-green to reddish-purple, spotted, rough hairy; stem roots present; bulbils absent. Leaves cauline (basal stem leafless), alternate, linear, hairless, margin and veins rough. Inflorescence 1-25 flowered. Flowers trumpet-shaped, spreading, tips recurved, fragrant; summer.Tepals to 20 x 3 cm long, pinkish-purple outside, white inside flushed yellow basally, unspotted. Nectary yellowish, without hairs or warts. Anthers yellow; pollen yellow.

Grown as an ornamental flowering bulb in sun or partial shade on well-drained rich soil.

ALBUM GROUP Pure white flowers with orange anthers.

W China.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Liliaceae. 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.