Perennial, pulvinate shrub. Leaves commonly linear-triquetrous, sub-cylindrical, subulate. sometimes flat and fairly broad, scabrid or smooth-margined, nearly always pungent. Inflorescence a simple or branched, distichous spike, sometimes paniculate or a spicate-head. Calyx funnel-shaped or tubular, 5-nerved, usually glabrous internally on the nerves. Petals slightly connate at the base. Filaments of stamens dilated in the lower part and adnate to the petals. Ovary linear-cylindrical imperceptibly passing into five free styles, glabrous, rarely verrucose; styles glabrous, rarely verrucose; stigmas hemispherical or sub-oblong-capitate.