Stem (unknown in type) 60–80 cm. high, (including leaf-sheaths) terete, 8–14 mm. thick near apex. Leaf-sheaths (unknown in type) to 3 cm. long, remaining a while after abscission or the extreme apex partially dividing to form a fine net; blades linear, attenuate, 15–20 cm. long, 5–7 mm. wide, ± scabrous on the upper side, marginal nerves ± twice as wide as the others, yellow, finely denticulate; anatomy of the Vellozia type. Peduncles 3–4 at the apices of the stem, 7–10 cm. long, glandular especially toward apex. Perianth white to pale mauve; outer and inner tepals nearly identical, lanceolate, acute, 25–35 mm. long, glandular, especially the outer. Filaments subtriangular, almost wholly adnate to the tepals; anthers linear, ± two-thirds as long as the tepals. Ovary turbinate to ellipsoid, 7–10 mm. long, densely dark-glandular; stigmas linear, vertical, apical, much longer than the style-base.