Bulbs chunky, 1.6–2.9 × 2.2–4.7 cm, 0.6–1.1 times taller than long, 2(–4) years’ growth visible; scales 1–2-segmented, longest 1.2–2.2 cm; stem roots present or absent. Stems to 1.2 m, glaucous. Buds rounded in cross section. Leaves scattered, or mostly scattered with at least 1 distal whorl, or in 1–5 whorls or partial whorls, 3–11 leaves per whorl, ± horizontal and drooping at tips, or ascending in sun, 2.9–10.2 × 0.3–2.3 cm, 3.5–18 times longer than wide; blade narrowly elliptic, sometimes linear, elliptic, or oblanceolate, margins not undulate, apex acute or barely acuminate; veins and margins ± smooth abaxially. Inflorescences umbellate, 1–3(–6)-flowered. Flowers erect, not fragrant; perianth widely campanulate; sepals and petals somewhat recurved 1/4–2/5 along length from base, red-orange or red-magenta, sometimes pale orange, pure red, or rarely yellow, distinctly clawed, apex often widely acute, rarely obtuse, nectar guides above claws yellow to orange and spotted maroon, more pronounced on sepals; sepals not ridged abaxially, 4.9–8.2 × 1.6–2.6 cm; petals 4.5–7.7 × 2–3.2 cm; stamens strongly exserted; filaments ± parallel to style, barely spreading, diverging 0°–8° from axis, ± same color as sepals and petals; anthers dull maroon, 0.5–1.2 cm; pollen variously colored dark orange, brown, brown-yellow, or yellow; pistil 5–8 cm; ovary 1.3–3.2 cm; style ± same color as sepals and petals; pedicel 2.5–10.5 cm. Capsules 2.2–7.7 × 1–1.8 cm, 3–4.8 times longer than wide. 

Flowering late spring--summer (late May--Aug),