Tufted plant to 50 cm high. Bulb ovoid, to 80 mm diam. Leaves linear-oblong, tapering at apex and base, 40–60 cm long, 10–40(–60) mm wide, usually ciliate. Inflorescence a dense hemispherical corymb of up to 100 flowers; pedicel subtended by a subulate bract, 30–80 mm long, usually exceeding or equalling the pedicel; flowers blue, patent; perianth segments 5–14 mm long, spreading; stamens equal, filaments broadly lanceolate, c. 2 mm wide. Capsule ovoid, acuminate.
MuM, Wim, GleP, VVP, GipP, OtP, Gold, CVU. Native to the Mediterranean region, naturalised in Victoria, with populations persisting from old gardens.
A widespread and variable species, characterised by its large bulbs that are up to 80 mm diam., broad anther filaments, and bracts that are greater than 30 mm long. Various taxa have been recognised within this species on the basis of differences in relative petiole and bract lengths, degree of hairiness of leaves and number of flowers per inflorescence.
