Bulbs 1-2, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid to ± globose, 1-1.4 × 0.1-0.14 cm; outer coats enclosing single bulb, reddish brown, membranous, usually lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in only 2-3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats pale brown to white, cells obscure, quadrate. Leaves persistent, withering from tip by anthesis, 1, basally sheathing, sheath not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, terete, 12-30 cm × 1-3 mm. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 5-15 cm × 1-2 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 5-30-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2-3, 4-6-veined, lance-ovate to ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers urceolate, 9-17 mm; tepals erect, purple, lanceolate to lance-ovate, unequal, becoming rigid and ± keeled in fruit, margins minutely denticulate at least distally, apex acute, ± straight at tip, inner slightly shorter and narrower than outer; stamens included; anthers yellow; pollen yellow; ovary crested; processes 6, prominent, ± triangular, margins entire to notched or irregularly papillose; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, 3-lobed, lobes slender, recurved; pedicel 5-25 mm. Seed coat dull or shining; cells minutely roughened. 2n = 14.

Flowering mid Apr--mid Jul. Sandy, rocky soil, Techachapi Mountains and desert slopes, western Mojave Desert, California; 900--1600 m; Calif.