Perennial, blooming the first year, 4–8 dm, glandular-hairy above; lvs lanceolate, to 15 mm wide; fls in terminal racemes; cor variously colored, 2.5–4 cm; cal-lobes broadly ovate, obtuse, 3–5 mm; fr glandular, 1.5 cm; 2n=16, 32. Native of the Mediterranean region, occasionally escaped from cult. in our range. Summer.
An annual plant. It grows 1 m high and spreads 50 cm wide. The stem can be erect or lie over. The leaves are green, soft and sword shaped. The flowers can be red, orange, yellow or white. The are tube shaped and have 2 lips.