Bulb ellipsoid or infrequently ellipsoid-ovoid, 28-54 × 18-30 mm, usually with blackish, fibrous tunic. Leaves 25-55 cm × 6-12 mm, mature plants with blackish, shriveled foliage at base of scape; blade bluish green. Scape 71-99 cm, often with 2-5 ascending branches, 4-6 mm thick at base. Inflorescences: terminal raceme (8-)12-35(-49) cm; flowers (20-) 30-36(-46) per 10 cm of raceme. Flowers: tepals purplish black with pale green central vein, oblong-lanceolate, 9-12 × 2 mm; stamens seldom exposed at anthesis; filaments 5-8 mm; anthers purple. Capsules ellipsoid to ellipsoid-ovoid, 7-11 × 5-8 mm. Seeds black, 5 mm.

Flowering Jun--Jul, fruiting Jul--Aug. Ultramafic river-beds that have year-round water in rooting horizon and wet, open, sunny bogs; of conservation concern; 500--700 m; Oreg.