Herb with thick fleshy roots. Leaves lanceolate to oblong. Flowers in terminal spikes; bracts persistent. Calyx tube long, split on one side. Corolla tube as long as or longer than the calyx; anterior segment usually cucullate, sometimes enveloping the petaloid staminodes and stamen. Anther versatile, spurred at the base. Ovary 3-locular, placentaion axile, stigma erect, turbinate or hooked, infundibuliform. Capsule membranous, 3-valved.