a perennial stemless herb with an erect stout rootstock; leaves radical, 1–4 in. long, of variable width, ovate or ovate-oblong, acute or subacute, entire or toothed, nearly glabrous, 3–7- (commonly 5-) nerved, tapering into the petiole; petioles usually longer than blades, channelled, sheathing at the base; flowers scattered or crowded, in rather lax spikes 2–4 in. or more long; bracts 3/4–1 lin. long, broadly ovate-oblong, obtuse, glabrous, with scabrous margins; sepals 1 lin. long, broadly oblong or rotund-ovate, obtuse, obtusely keeled on the back and with scarious margins; corolla-tube 9/10 lin. long; lobes 3/5 lin. long, ovate-anceolate, acute, reflexed; anthers 2/5 lin. long; style 3/4 lin. long; capsules ellipsoid, 1 1/4 lin. long, the top coming off circumscissilely as a conical lid tipped with the remains of the style; seeds 4–8 in each cell, 2/5 lin. long, angular dull black. null
