Cormous geophyte up to 30cm. Leaves sword-shaped to falcate (sickle-shaped), 3-5, only half as long as the flowering stems. Flowers 3-8 per spike, white or cream, outer tepals flushed red, pink or brown on the outside. Perianth tube straight, 4-9mm long, tepals spreading; bracts green, sometimes flushed with red.

White-flowered plants are sweetly fragrant in late afternoon and evening when open; cream-flowered plants open during middle of day and are unscented.