Caulescent branched herb to c. 1 m high. Leaf sheath pale greenish-yellow; lamina irregularly banded and mottled above with deep green and cream or creamy-yellow, paler beneath. Inflor. to c. 5 cm long, green bracted; bracts on dorsal side regular imbricate and forming a ± obtuse keel. Flowers on open ventral side, mainly white. Inner perianth 7-8 mm long, strongly paralled-nerved (especially prominent when dry). 2 Staminodes > perianth segments, somewhat hairy outside. Fertile stamen slightly < perianth segments (inner) distally curved over.