Perennial herb 30-60 cm tall, dormant in summer. Basal leaf solitary, 30-65 cm long, 2-4 mm wide; stem leaves much shorter. Spike erect with 2-7 flowers in one row. Spathe oblong, 3-5 cm long. Perianth cream to pale yellow, spotted purplebrown; tube 4-6 cm long; segments 2-3 cm long, slightly unequal; scented at night; spring. Anthers 12-14 mm, purple.

Cape Province.

var. concolor (Salisb.) Baker Flowers pale yellow, hardly spotted.

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.