Caudices simple or apically branched, cespitose, 0.1-5 × 1-3 cm, axillary branches absent. Leaves: rosettes 1-2, not in clumps, 10-25-leaved, 3-12 cm diam.; blade pale green, oblong-lanceolate, tapering from base or slightly wider near middle, 3-15 × 0.5-2.5 cm, 1.5-6 mm thick, base 0.5-2.5 cm wide, apex narrowly acute, surfaces not farinose, glaucous at least when young. Inflorescences: cyme (red), 2-3-branched, obpyramidal; branches not twisted (flowers on topside), simple or 1 times bifurcate, (5-20 cm wide); cincinni 2-3, 2-20-flowered, circinate, 1-18 cm; floral shoots 5-40 × 0.2-0.9 cm; leaves 5-20, ascending, triangular-lanceolate, 5-70 × 3-10 mm, apex acute. Pedicels erect, not bent in fruit, 5-20 mm. Flowers: calyx 4-8 × 4.5-7 mm; petals connate 1-4 mm, bright to greenish yellow or red-marked, 8-20 × 9-20 mm, apex acute, tips often outcurved; pistils connivent, erect. Unripe follicles erect.