Robust cormous geophyte up to 2m tall. Stems sturdy, usually several-branched, often lightly purple. Leaves firm, sword-shaped, glossy, apple-green in colour, 500-700mm long and 20-40mm wide. Flowers faintly scented, pink to purple, rarely white, flower tube widens conspicuously to the throat and bears wide lobes equal in length to the tube or flower; flowers emerge from bracts which are often sticky within but do not clasp the stem.

Capsules ovoid-oblong.

Latin: borbonia = of or from Reunion Island; -icus = indicates 'belonging to'; plant was mistakenly thought to originate from Reunion (Ille de Bourbon).