Rhizomatous herb with erect thick and rigid leaves. Leaves pale grey-green, marked with broken irregular bands of dark green; some leaves with cream margins cv. 'Laurentii'. Scapes very tough, arising from rhizome. Flowers erect or suberect; perianth 2.3-3 cm long, white or greenish-white; tube 7-8 mm long, narrow cylindric; lobes linear, widely diverging. Style 2.8-3 cm long, > stamens. A number of plants.