Plants (40-)60-120(-180) cm. Corms globose, sometimes becoming elongate rhizomes. Stems glabrous or densely piloso-puberulent. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 3-5-nerved, linear to narrowly oblanceolate or oblanceolate, 110-220 × 4-10(-12) mm, gradually then abruptly reduced distally (bractlike proximal to heads), essentially glabrous or sparsely pilose to densely piloso-puberulent, weakly gland-dotted (bases of basal usually fibrous-persistent). Heads in dense, spiciform arrays. Peduncles usually 0, rarely (spreading to ascending) 1-2 mm. Involucres campanulate-cylindric, 7-9(-10) × 3.5-5 mm. Phyllaries (reflexed or curving-spreading) in 4-5 series, oblong-lanceolate, unequal, essentially glabrous or ± pilose, margins with hyaline borders, sometimes ciliate, apices usually acute to acute-acuminate (sometimes distally dilated, nearly petaloid). Florets (4-)5-8; corolla tubes glabrous inside. Cypselae 3.8-4.5(-5) mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate.