Leaves rosulate, erect, grass-like, 40–50 cm long, linear, c. 1.5 cm wide, expanded to c. 4 cm wide at the base, tapering towards the apex, channelled on the upper surface, ± fleshy, bright green, white-spotted towards the base especially on the lower surface and occasionally spinulescent; margin with minute white cartilaginous teeth crowded at the leaf base, the teeth usually obsolescent towards the apex.
Perianth coral-pink to orange-red, green-tipped, 35–40 mm long, 7–9 mm in diameter across the ovary, cylindric-trigonous, narrowing towards the mouth, base tapering into the pedicel; outer segments free for one-third to three-quarters with tips slightly spreading.
Raceme 15–25 × 8 cm, cylindric, ± densely flowered, with overlapping bracts in bud; bracts 1.5–2.5 × 1–2 cm, broadly ovate, apex acute; pedicels 2.5–3 cm long, elongating to 4 cm in fruit, red-tinged.
Inflorescence simple, erect to 60–80 cm high; peduncle with large, orange-brown, sterile, papery bracts on the upper half, 2–4 cm apart.
Perennial herb, solitary, or suckering to produce a cluster of 2–12 stems.
Stamens scarcely exserted, reddish, style a little longer.
Capsule stipitate for 1 mm, c. 2.5 × 1 mm, ovoid, buff.
Seeds c. 3.5 × 5 mm, dark brown, narrowly winged.
Stems up to 20 cm long and 1.5–3 cm thick.