Rhizomes sparingly short-branched, forming dense clumps, 1–1.5 cm diam., hard, with old leaf bases at nodes; roots fleshy. Stems slightly flattened, with 1–2 short branches, solid, 4–12 dm. Leaves: basal erect, blade with slight spiral twist and central ridge, 3.5–8 dm × 1–2 cm, stiff, harsh, fibrous, glaucous; cauline 2–3, 1–2 subtending floral clusters, blade reduced. Inflorescence units clustered, 2–4-flowered; spathes white, 3–5 cm, subequal, papery. Flowers: perianth white; floral tube funnelform, 1–2.5 cm; sepals spreading and arching downward, with large yellow basal area, broadly orbicular, 8–10 × 3–6 cm, apex rounded, deeply emarginate; petals white, spatulate, 4–6 × 1–1.5 cm, base gradually attenuate, apex emarginate; ovary triangular in cross section with 2 ribs at each angle, 2–2.5 cm; style white, with parallel sides, 4–5 cm, crests erect, triangular, 1–2 cm; stigmas 2-lobed; pedicel 2.5–7.5 cm. Capsules ovoid to oblong-elliptic, triangular in cross section, each angle 2-ribbed, 4–5 × 2–2.5 cm. Seeds in 2 rows per locule, white, flattened or wedge-shaped, 4–5 mm, papery, wrinkled. 2n = 40.

Flowering May--Jul. Persisting after cultivation or discarded along roadsides; introduced; Calif., Conn., Mo.; expected elsewhere; Greece, Turkey.