Rhizomatous geophyte up to 1.5m with stiff rounded stems. Leaves are strap-like and up to 20mm wide. Bright blue flowers are arranged spirally in a long spike, tepals 12-16mm long, flower clusters overlapping; bracts lanceolate, brown or papery. Old flower stems remain for months after flowering turning a rich brown colour.

In the genus Aristea each flower lasts only one day but new flowers appear successively over a period of days or weeks.