General:
Perennial herb from long, creeping rhizomes; stems arising singly, not densely clustered, round, usually straight, smooth, wiry, erect, 40-60 cm tall.

Leaves:
Reduced to small sheaths at the base of the stem; sheaths shiny brown.

Flowers:
Inflorescence nodding, with 8 to 20 light-coloured flowers on branches 4-8 cm long, appearing as if on the side of the stem, located closer to the upper third of the stem; perianth segments dark with translucent margins, reddish-brown, 3.2-4.7 mm long, pointed, the outer about equal to the inner segments; stamens 6; anthers longer than or equal to the filaments; involucral bract 5-20 cm long, cylindrical, resembling a continuation of the stem, shorter than the stem.

Fruits:
Capsules, with blunt tips, about equal to the perianth segments or slightly longer; seeds spindle-shaped, 0.8-1 mm long, lacking tail-like appendages.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia