Shrub up to 1.5 m high, rarely to 2.5 m when supported by surrounding vegetation (see West, loc. cit.: 88]. Stem erect, branching from the base and above; branches numerous, ascending or the basal ones shortly decumbent, all clothed in persistent leaf remains. Leaves in a lax rosette, erect-spreading; lamina to 40–50 cm long, 5–7 cm wide near the base, lanceolate-attenuate, uniformly green or occasionally with a few whitish spots especially on young leaves, becoming bright coppery-red in the dry season; margin with pungent deltoid minutely brown-tipped teeth 2–4 mm long and 8–15 mm apart. Inflorescences 1–3 from each leaf rosette, erect to 1 m tall above the rosette; peduncle 1–3-branched; branches curving upwards and subtended by pale scarious deltoid bracts c. 5 × 10 mm, with scattered sterile bracts below the racemes. Racemes 10–30 × 5–8 cm, cylindrical, ± densely flowered; bracts 2–3 × 3–4 mm, ovate, scarious, pale brown; pedicels 3–8 mm long. Perianth bright glossy red with paler tips, to orange or occasionally creamy-yellow, 35–45 mm long, slightly curved, 5–7 mm in diameter across the ovary, widening slightly towards the mouth to 6–10 mm in diameter, cylindric; outer segments free to nearly halfway, with tips spreading. Stamens and stigma exserted 4–10 mm, yellow, with anthers reddish-orange. Capsule and seeds not seen.
