Bulbs 1-3, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, with 0-2 stalked, basal bulbels, ovoid, 1-2 × 0.8-1.5 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brown, membranous, usually prominently cellular-reticulate, cells ± transversely elongate, intricately contorted, without fibers; inner coats white or pinkish, cells elongate, intricately contorted. Leaves persistent, 1, basally sheathing, sheath not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, terete, 10-20 cm × 1-3 mm. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, ± solid, terete, 5-15 cm × 1-2.5 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 5-25-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2-3, 3-7-veined, ovate to lanceolate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers stellate, 7-12 mm; tepals spreading, white or pinkish white with dark pink midveins, lanceolate to ovate, ± equal, becoming papery in fruit, margins entire, apex acute to acuminate; stamens included; anthers purple; pollen yellow; ovary crested; processes 6, prominent, ± triangular, margins entire to notched or shallowly toothed; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed; pedicel 8-16 mm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened. 2n = 14, 28.

Flowering Apr--Jun. Sandy, rocky, or occasionally clay soils on desert plains and hillsides; 1400--1700 m; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Utah.