Herb, 30 to 60 cm high; subterraneous bulb broadly ovoid, 1 to 4 cm in diameter, often consisting of several crowded bulbils, enclosed by whitish or purplish sheath. Leaf linear, 0.4 to 2.5 cm wide, up to 60 cm long, longitudinally folded with keel on lower surface, sheathing at base.