Flowering stem erect, straight, 17–45 cm tall, 0.7–2 mm diam., purplish. Leaf linear to linear-lanceolate, attenuate, 10–25 cm long, 3–10 mm wide, fleshy, canaliculate, ribbed abaxially, sheathing at base, dark green with a purplish base. Inflorescence 2–6-flowered, open. Sterile bracts usually 2, occasionally 3. Perianth segments lanceolate to ovate, 5–10 mm long, purplish blue, reflexing strongly on hot days. Column 4–5.5 mm long, pink or purplish at base; mid-lobe expanded into a hood over the anther, tubular, not inflated, often somewhat compressed dorsally, curving forward gently through c. 90 deg., dark blackish green to brown throughout, apex usually deeply bilobed; lateral lobes converging or more or less parallel, 1–1.4 mm long, digitiform, porrect at base then curving gently upwards, each with a sub-terminal mop-like tuft of white (rarely pink) hairs embracing the apex of the mid-lobe. Anther inserted above centre of column, shortly beaked. Flowers Oct.–Nov.
Currently known only from Western Port at Crib Point and French Island.
Flowers only open on hot days, with the perianth segments reflexing strongly towards the ovary.
