Tufted rhizomatous evergreen perennial. Stems 60-90 cm × ± 3 mm, stiff, erect. Leaves < stems, to 30 × 1 cm, stiff, erect, slightly fleshy; 4-5 basal, distichous; 3-4 shorter, cauline; upper bract-like. Spikes 10-15-flowered; spathe-valves 2, green, tinged purple, 2.5- (3) cm long, ± = tube. Flowers c. 5 cm long, ± 5 cm diam., bright crimson; tube very narrow throughout, brownish, ± = widely spreading, ovate, acute lobes. Styles-branches 3- (4), slender, subulate, red, ± 2 cm long. Capsule 1.5 × 1 cm, oblong. Seeds ± 1.5 mm long, angled, brown.