| Description |
Bulb spherical to ovoid, 1.4-2.2(-2.6) × 1-2.2(-2.6) cm. Sheath 1.5-3 × 0.4-0.5 cm. Vernation applanate. Leaves linear to very narrowly oblanceolate (slightly broader in the middle to upper third), at flowering (2.3-)5.5-16(-24) × (0.2-)0.3-1.2(-2.3) cm, after flowering developing to 5.5-16(-24) × 0.3-1.3(-2.5) cm, erect at maturity, usually twisted to conspicuously twisted (on the vertical axis); midrib conspicuous; margins flat; apex acute, flat to slightly hooded; surfaces smooth; upper and lower leaf surfaces the same colour, glaucous (grey to blue-grey) or infrequently glaucescent, matt. Scape 6-10(-18) cm long, glaucous. Pedicel 10-32 mm long. Outer perianth segments obovate to broadly obovate, or elliptic, 16-26(-35) × 8-14(-22) mm, slightly unguiculate. Inner perianth segments obovate to angular-obovate, obtriangular, or oblong, 10-12 × 6-7 mm, the apices usually turned upwards (reflexed), each segment with a sinus and two green marks, one apical and one basal, or one large green mark, the apical mark variable, V- to U-shaped, sometimes divided into two smaller eye-like marks (either side of the sinus), the second (basal) mark at the base of and covering up to half or slightly more of the segment, or rectangular to circular, infrequently this mark divided into two longitudinally, or the apical and basal marks fused to form one large X-shaped mark; inner face of each segment with a faint green mark similar to the mark(s) on the outer face. Anthers tapering to a long point. Capsule spherical, 10-15 mm in diameter. Seeds pale brown, c. 4 mm long. Flowering time February to May in nature; January to March in cultivation. |
