It grows as a single stem from a bulb, preferring a cool, shady position in moist, acid soil.

The green stem is tinged with purple and supports a scattering of linear to lanceolate leaves, sometimes in a whorl beneath the flowers.

The yellow, semi-pendant, unscented flowers are produced in early summer in ones or twos on slender stems.

The flowers are shaped like a shallow bowl, up to 5 cm across and have a scattering of purple spots near the centre.

[3] Oxypetalum (oxee`pet`alum) means sharp petalled.