Subshrub or perennial herb with a woody base, up to c. 0.5 m tall, with a viscous indumentum; stems shortly pubescent and setose. Leaves elliptic to ovate, 1.5–8 x 0.8–4 cm, serrate, densely pubescent and setose on both surfaces. Flowers c. 4–7, in long-pedunculate racemes, heterostylous; pedicels 2–6 mm long. Calyx pubescent and setose with swollen-based hairs; tube 12–18 mm long; lobes 5–6.5 mm long. Petals orange, free part c. 12–16 x 8–10 mm. Capsules ellipsoid, erect, 10–12 x 5 mm, pubescent and setose, scarcely beaked. Seeds c. 3.5 x 1.5 mm, slightly curved; aril white, about as long as the seed.