Stemless geophyte with a large, gummy bulb. Leaves are divided into threes, leaflets are rounded, hairless above, but hairy and sometimes purple below, often with a fringe of white hairs on leaf margins; leaves liberally sprinkled with minute translucent dots and faintly streaked, barely visible to the unaided eye; leaves blacken on drying. Large, single flowers are borne on a short stem which has two small bracts towards the base; flower tubes bulge or are inflated in the centre; flowers usually violet-rose in Fernkloof, but may also be salmon or white.

This species is common and widespread and grows in colonies, mainly coastal, often flowering in lawns.

Greek: oxys = sharp, pungent, acid; referring to the oxalic acid content of this genus which gives the leaves a sharp, acidic taste; the common name Suring refers.