Plants not bulbose. Stems 1-5 cm. Leaves: basal withering, 1-2 dm; blade linear. Inflorescences subumbellate, 1-5-flowered; bracts linear, 1-3 cm. Flowers erect; perianth open, campanulate, narrow at base; sepals lanceolate, 1-2 cm, apex acuminate; petals white to lavender, with conspicuous purple striping, obovate to cuneate, rounded, 2-3 cm, sparsely hairy around gland, margins irregularly dentate distally; glands oblong, not depressed, covered with linear hairs; filaments 5-7 mm; anthers oblong, 4-6 mm. Capsules erect, linear, angled, 4-5 cm. Seeds light-colored, flat.

Flowering mid spring--early summer. Alkaline meadows, springy places in creosote bush scrub; of conservation concern; 300--1400 m; Calif., Nev.