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Description:
Plants 380–600 mm high, with smooth green cataphylls. Corm 12–15 mm diam.; tunics either not accumulating and represented by the firmly membranous bases of the cataphylls, or composed of fine matted fibers. Leaves 5 to 7, lower 3 or 4 more or less basal, linear, reaching to about spike base, 3–4 mm at widest, main vein lightly thickened, margins not raised or thickened, upper 2 or 3 leaves mostly to entirely sheathing and decreasing in length above. Stem erect, unbranched, c. 1.5 mm diam. at spike base. Spike (3–)6- to 10-flowered; bracts green, 6–10 mm long, inner about as long or slightly longer than outer. Flowers purple (or white), lower tepals each with dark purple markings on limbs; perianth tube 6–8 mm long, curving outward, widening near mouth; tepals unequal, dorsal arcuate, c. 12 x c. 7 mm, upper laterals smaller, joined to lower 3 for c. 3 mm, directed forward and ultimately curving outward, lower 3 smallest, united below for c. 1.5 mm, 9–10 mm long, narrowed below into claws, limbs abruptly expanded and turned downward, c. 3 mm wide, in profile exceeding the dorsal. Filaments c. 6 mm long, exserted 3–4 mm from tube; anthers 5–6 mm long, yellow. Ovary 2–3 mm long; style dividing opposite middle of anthers, branches c. 0.8 mm long. Capsules ellipsoid, c. 10 mm long; seeds not known. Flowering time: October to mid November.
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