Bulbs 2-3+, usually clustered, short-rhizomatous at base, rhizome not stout or iris-like, oblong, 2-3 × 1-1.5 cm; outer coats enclosing single bulb, ± reddish brown, membranous, striations fine, cells narrow, elongate, vertical; inner coats deep red to white, finely striate, cells narrow, vertically elongate. Leaves persistent, green at anthesis, 3-6, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil level; blade solid, terete, 3-angled, 15-30 cm × 1-4 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, 1-2, clustered, erect, solid, slightly compressed, 10-40 cm × 1-3 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 10-30-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2-4, 2-3-veined, ovate-lanceolate, ± equal, apex obtuse. Flowers campanulate, 6-8 mm; tepals erect, white to rose, with darker midvein, broadly ovate to lance-ovate, ± equal, becoming rigid and permanently investing capsule, margins entire, apex acute; stamens included; anthers white; pollen white to dark gray; ovary crested; processes 6, rounded, short, densely papillose; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed; pedicel 1-2 cm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened. 2n = 14.

Flowering Mar--May. Dry slopes and ridges of clay or stony soil; 50--800 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).