Leaves flat, 30-70 cm long, with unpleasant smell when crushed. Stems 40-80 cm tall, few-branched. Spathes green, 5-7 cm long. Flowers from pale yellow to greymauve veined in brown or purple; late spring. Perianth tube about 10 mm long; falls 4-5 cm long, narrowly spoon-shaped; standards erect, about 4 cm long. Capsule 5-7 cm long, splitting to reveal persistent bright red seeds.

W Europe, N 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.