A perennial that grows from a bulb, which is brown, between 7 and 15 cm in diameter, slightly elongated, and covered in thick, coarse fibres. The leaves grow from the base of the plant, and can be from 20 to 70 cm long and 6 to 25 mm wide. The flowers are borne on a long stem, normally longer than the leaves, and are from 15 to 30mm long. The six petals (actually only three of them are petals in the technical sense; the other three are sepals) are up to 35mm long and curving. The six stamens are large and noticeable, and yellow or orange. The flowers are hermaphrodite.

Antiseptic, carminative, diuretic and laxative (bulb)

Plants for a Future

To treat wind in the stomach, rubbed on rheumatic joints, in the treatment of dandruff, to prevent lice and also to treat skin irritations including that caused by poison oak (bulb)