Plants 3-9 dm, from bulbs; bulbs not clumped, tunicate, ovoid, 12-40 × 12-40 mm. Leaves: proximal blades 18-80 cm × 3-20 mm. Inflorescences usually paniculate, 10-100-flowered, with 1-15 branches, narrow, appearing pyramidal in early anthesis, terminal raceme 5-60 × 3-7 cm, proximal branches 1/3-1/2 length of entire inflorescence, extending upwards from main axis of inflorescence at 10°-60° angle. Flowers: perianth hypogynous, campanulate, 5-15 mm diam.; tepals persistent in fruit, cream colored, 4-12 × 1-4 mm, outer usually lacking claw; gland 1, obovate, distal margins evident, serrate to dentate; filaments straight, shorter than tepals, thickened proximally; pedicel horizontally spreading, usually perpendicular to stem in fruit, 15-45 mm, bracts green, 5-35 mm. Capsules narrowly conic, 9-22 × 3-6 mm. 2n = 22.

Flowering late Mar--Aug. Serpentine marshes; 0--500 m; Calif.