Small, slender cormous geophyte up to 40cm, most easily recognised by its short inflorescence spathes which are often no more than 12mm long. Stem severally branched. Leaves 2-3 (occasionally 1) shorter than the stem, the lower 1-2 basal, the upper produced from the lowest node, linear and more or less erect. Flowers yellow, cream or pale-brick red, often darkly veined, sometimes bicoloured.

Flowers opening in late morning and fading towards evening.

After: John Ker-Gawler (1764-1842), first editor of The Botanical Register and an Iridaceae specialist.