Cormous geophyte up to 60cm. Leaves 4-6 arising from ground level and 1 or 2 smaller stem leaves; narrowly sword-shaped with margins raised into broad wings. Irregular sessile flowers borne in clusters are white, cream or pale pink with red markings; perianth tube 30-55mm long; bracts brown and blunt-tipped; 3 stamens arch in one direction under the upper lobes.

Latin: quattuor', quadr- =four; referring to the leaf margins which are raised into four broad wings.