Perennial herb 70-100 cm tall, dormant in summer. Leaves to 70 cm long, 10-25 mm wide, blue-green. Spike erect with 9-18 flowers in 2 rows. Spathe lance-shaped, 3-5 cm long. Perianth magenta; tube to 2 cm long; segments 3-4 cm long, the upper three obtuse, hooded and overlapping, the lower 3 narrower, often with white darts; spring. Anthers 9-10 mm, purple.

W Mediterranean.

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.