Leaves basal, linear, 20-60 cm long, 1.5-6 mm wide, biconvex or cylindrical, deeply grooved, hairless. Scape 5-25 cm long, hairless. Spathes lanceolate, 25-45 mm long, hairless, green. Floral tube 25-35 mm long, hairless. Outer perianth segments rhomboid, 12-23 mm long, violet. Seed shiny, black, with a large cream waxy aril. Syn. P. glauca R. Br.

SA, Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas.

P. umbrosa Endl. from SW WA has leaves basal, linear to sword-shaped, 30-100 cm long, 4-6.5 mm wide, flat, straight, smooth, hairless; margin unthickened, hairless. Scape 30-80 cm long, hairless, clasped by a reduced leaf at base. Spathes equal, lanceolate, 60-85 mm long, pubescent, green, without broad papery margins. Floral tube 45-55 mm long, densely hairy. Outer perianth segments 25-35 mm long.Var. umbrosa has violet-blue flowers and var. xanthina (F. Muell.) Domin yellow flowers, usually with a red streak on the midline of each outer segment.

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.