Rhizomes producing fleshy roots, and 2-8 cordlike branches at apex, cordlike portion 2-3 dm × 1-2 mm, gradually enlarging to 8-12 mm diam., nodes with brown, scalelike leaves and rarely roots. Stems simple, 2.5-4.5 cm. Leaves: basal 6-8, proximal 2-3 sheathing, blade light brown with darker brown line along midrib at base, falcate, scarious, distal 4-5 not sheathing, blade green or yellowish green, with few, subprominent veins, broadly ensiform, slightly falcate, to 1.5 dm × 1-2.5 cm, enlarging to 4 dm after anthesis; cauline 2-3, sheathing, proximal very similar to basal leaves, distal 1 or 2 reduced, herbaceous, blade falcate, not inflated. Inflorescence units 1-2-flowered; spathes green, sharply keeled, somewhat inflated, 2-6 cm, unequal, outer shorter than inner. Flowers: perianth blue, lilac-purple, or white; floral tube filiform, widening distally, 4-8 cm, lifting expanded portion of flower out of spathes; sepals spreading, with 3 parallel, toothed, crested ridges on white signal bordered with purple, tapering gradually into claw, 3-6 × 1.5-2.5 cm, base gradually attenuate, apex rounded, emarginate; petals spreading, same color as sepals, oblanceolate, 3-4 × 1-2 cm; ovary triangular, with shallow groove along each face, 0.6-1 cm; style 1.5 cm, crests narrowly triangular, 6-9 mm; stigmas oblong, margins entire; pedicel 0.7-1.8 cm. Capsules usually enclosed in spathes, oval, sharply triangular, each angle ridged, 1-1.5 cm. Seeds yellowish brown, 3.2-3.5 mm, smooth, with narrow, white appendage wrapped around seed, 3.4-4 mm, quickly drying upon exposure to air. 2n = 24, 32. Flowering Apr--Jul. Rich woods, ravines, bluffs, usually in calcareous soil; Ala., Ark., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Ky., Md., Miss., Mo., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.