[2] Two varieties are recognized[2][3] Cardiocrinum giganteum is a bulbous perennial.

Flowers are white, fragrant, shaped like a trumpet, and 8 in (20 cm) long.

Leaves are medium to dark green, broad-ovate in shape, and 12–15 in (30–38 cm) long.

[6] The species was introduced into commercial production (as Lilium giganteum) in Britain in the 1850s.

A bulb grown from seed collected by Major Madden flowered in Edinburgh in July 1852, while those collected by Thomas Lobb were first exhibited in flower in May 1853.