[5][6] Although it is not grass, it has a grass-like appearance, with strap-like,[2][5] narrow, leathery leaves arising from the base of the plant.

[6] The flowers are deep-red or orange red and occur in dense clusters on long stiff stalks,[2][6] which also arise from the base of the plant.

[1][2][6][8] The bulbous red root is chopped or crushed and boiled in water to release the red-brown dyes, while the purple shades are made from H. coccineum fruit.

Some sources report Indigenous Australians used the plant to treat snake-bite, and the dry stalks were used as fire-sticks.

[2] In the dry season the plant will usually die back,[2] leaving the underground rootstock to regenerate later in the year.