Slender, usually unbranched, cormous geophyte up to 50cm. One or two linear leaves, longer than the stem and trailing. Pale blue to violet flowers, 3 larger outer propeller-like sepals bent backwards, with small white or yellow triangular nectar guides, 3 minute inner tepals. Flowers last several days.

Latin: tripetala = with three petals; referring to the three prominent outer tepals and apparently absent but actually very reduced inner tepals.