Grass-like, tufted. Corm globose, 1.5- (2.5) cm diam., tunic fibrous-membranous, creamy. Stems to 70 cm high, slender, wiry. Leaves 4-5- (8), narrow-linear, ± ⅔ length of stem, 3-6- (8) mm wide, erect, distinctly fine-veined. Spike short, axis ± flexuous, occasionally branched, with 4-12 close-set flowers; spathe-valves ± 1 cm long, membranous, very light red-brown. Flowers 4-5-(6.5) cm diam., cream to orange-yellow with dark brown to reddish-black circular patch in centre and usually ± reddish on outside, entirely cerise in some large plants often with branched inflorescence; tube (0.5)-1-1.5- (2) cm long, very narrow; lobes 2-2.5 cm long. Capsule 3.5-4 mm long, oblong, greenish.