Perennial herb with thickened roots from a short rhizome. Inflorescence to 30 cm, floral bracts green. Leaves lanceolate to elliptic, to 15 cm long, 6 cm wide, leaf stalks long, channelled, winged, purple spotted, leaf apex acute, base tapering, slightly undulate, about 4 vein pairs, dull mid-green above, shiny below, often with a pale creamy margin. Flowers white to bluish-purple, anthers yellow; summer. Syn. H. albomarginata (Hook.) Ohwi.

Japan.

var. alba (W. Irv.) Hylander has green leaves and white flowers.

H. longissima (Honda) Honda, Mizu-gibo-shi from Japan is a perennial herb with thickened roots from a short rhizome. Inflorescence to 55 cm, floral bracts shiny green. Leaves lanceolate to elliptic, 10-17 cm long, 5-9 cm wide, leaf stalks long, channelled, not spotted, apex acute, base tapering, 3-4 vein pairs, leathery, flat, dull green above, shiny beneath. Flowers pale reddish; summer.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Hostaceae. 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.