This is a perennial which hails from the Canary Islands. It has shiny, leathery leaves in a basal clump. The flowers are held in a spray atop leafless stems to 60cm tall. It flowers for a long period during the year but is particularly profuse in winter and early spring. The flowers are little white stars held within showy papery purple bracts, excellent for floral arrangements in a vase. It needs a full sun position in well-drained soil on the dry side. The clumps can be propagated by division.
This plant combines well with other plants from this region and the Mediterranean which flower at the same time, such as tall bearded Iris, French lavender (Lavandula dentata) and Marguerite daisies.