Stem erect or curved, 10-27 cm tall. Leaves 4-8, lance-shaped, acute, to 12 cm long, 15 mm wide. Flowers 4-8, spirally arranged in a loose spike, scentless; spring. Spathe lance-shaped, 8-20 cm long, green with brown tip, hairy. Perianth tube straight, 9-18 mm long; segments equal, 20-27 mm long, violet to blue, white or yellow, the lower lateral segments with purple marks at base.

var. sulphurea Flowers pale yellow with dark purple anthers.

S Africa.

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.