Perennial, dwarf shrub or shrub, 0.6(-1.0) m high; clearly woody at base, branched. Leaves mostly 8-30 x 1-5 mm, linear to lanceolate, denticulate. Flowers in ± dense spikes, 30-80 mm long; often with old spike present between over-topping younger ones. Bracts ovate and acuminate; membranous margins often contracted abruptly, short of apex. Corolla white, seldom yellow with an orange, red or brownish red fleck; lobes short. Fruit narrowly oblong, the 2 parts moderately unequal.
Branched, woody shrublet, up to 0.6 m high. Leaves variable, linear, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate. Spikes dense, 30-80 mm long. Bracts ovate, apex long attenuate. Flowers white with orange throat or purple with red in throat.