Shrub. Leaves opposite, entire. Flowers one per bract, in dense terminal spiciform cymes; bracts imbricate, foliaceous, papery, in 4 rows; bracteoles 2, glumaceous. Calyx glumaceous, divided to the base in 5 subequal 1-toothed sepals. Corolla finely sericeous-puberulent outside; basal part of tube straight, middle part twisted through 180°, apical part straight, split dorsally to give a small entire or 3-lobed lip which due to the twisting of the tube is held dorsally. Stamens 4, included, inserted just above twisted part of tube on a thickened flange; anthers 1-thecous, oblong, rounded at both ends, finely bearded on one side. Ovary 2-locular, with 2 ovules per locule, glabrous; style glabrous; stigma entire, dilated, truncate. Capsule sessile, ovoid, glabrous. Seed with large pectinate scales.