Plants 25–45 cm high. Corms 15–20 mm in diameter, obconic; tunics of fairly fine vertical fibres. Foliage leaves 3–4, at least the lower 1–2 inserted at or below ground level, these longer than the others and usually slightly longer than the stem, occasionally shorter, (1.8)3–4.5 mm wide, linear, the midrib and margins hyaline and strongly thickened, margins raised at right angles to the surface; the upper 1–2 leaves cauline, shorter than the basal leaves, the uppermost sometimes entirely sheathing. Stem often 1(2)-branched. Spike 10–16-flowered, secondary spike with fewer flowers; bracts green, 12–14(16) mm long, the inner usually shorter than the outer. Flowers bright orange-red, the lower lateral tepals each with a transverse yellow band outlined in dark-red across the distal half; perianth tube c. 14 mm long, widening and curving outwards near the apex; tepals unequal, lanceolate, the uppermost 16–20 mm long (shorter when dry), larger than the others, the 3 lower tepals 12–14 mm long, joined with the upper lateral tepals for 2–4 mm, and to themselves for c. 3 mm, exceeding the uppermost tepal when viewed in profile, abruptly expanded in the upper half, more or less horizontal, flexed downwards distally. Filaments 12–14 mm long, exserted for 8–10 mm; anthers c. 6.5 mm long. Style dividing between the middle and apex of the anthers, style branches 2.5–3 mm long. Capsules 8–10 mm long (possibly longer), obovoid.
