Annual glabrous or glandular-pubescent, hemiparasitic herb. Stem erect, quadrangular, terete. Leaves opposite below, alternate above, sessile, pinnatifid with narrow linear segments, the upper leaves often entire, acuminate. Inflorescence raceme. Flowers shortly pedicellate. Bracteoles absent. Calyx tubular-campanulate, 5-lobed, glandular-pubescent, lobes triangular-lanceolate. Corolla tubular-funnelform; limb 5-lobed; lobes 2-parted almost to base. Stamens 4, included, didynamous, inserted at corolla tube. Ovary ellipsoid to globose. Ovules 1-2 per locule. Stigma capitate. Capsule compressed, loculicidal. Seeds oblong or angular, truncate and at an oblique angle at adjoining faces; testa rugulose.
A monotypic genus, distributed in Central and S. W. Asia and China.
In the APG III classification (2009) Leptorhabdos is included in the family Orobanchaceae.