The bulb is 6–8 cm in diameter, white with a covering of brown scales.

Although the epithet peruviana means "from Peru", it is strictly a western Mediterranean species.

[4] Clusius mentioned the species as growing in the Antwerp garden of a certain Everardus Munichoven, who reportedly got the plants from Peru.

[7] It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant for its spring flowers; several cultivars are available ranging in colour from white to light or dark blue, or violet.

The best environment is a warm mediterranean climate similar to its native habitat.