Japan Flora: Tufted, estoloniferous perennial; leaves linear, 30-80 cm. long, (7-) 10-15 mm. wide, relatively thick and lustrous, deep green, 9- to 13-nerved, gradually narrowed above, obtuse, slighdy scabridulous on margin, gradually narrowed at base; scapes flattened, broader at the top, narrowly winged on margin, 30-50 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide; racemes 7-10 cm. long, rather densely flowered, the lower bracts linear, membranous and dilated at base, the pedicels 3-8 in a group, fascicled, 1-2 cm. long, jointed at or above the middle; flowers nodding, 7-8 mm. long, pale purple; anthers lanceolate, 4-5 mm. long; seeds blue. Aug. Honshu (w. distr.), Shikoku, Kyushu. Often planted, and tfiere is a garden cultivar with white-variegated leaves.

Ryukyus.