Perennial herb 45-70 cm tall, dormant in summer. Leaves 3, 30-80 cm long, 3-6 mm wide, with thickened midvein and margins. Spike with 4-8 flowers in one row. Spathe lance-shaped, 4-6.5 cm long. Perianth dark red to scarlet; tube 4-5.5 cm long, cylindrical with a pouch-like swelling at base; segments unequal, acute, the dorsal lobe hooded, 25-33 mm long, the others 15-30 mm; late spring. Anthers 8-10 mm, purple. Syn. Homoglossum watsonium (Thunb.) N.E. Br.

Cape Province.

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.