Perennial herb. Stem single, simple or rarely branched from base, up to 1.7 m high. Leaves recurved in rosette at apex of stem, 0.5-1.5 m long, 35-120 mm wide, keeled (V-shaped) in juvenile plants, not keeled at maturity, margins strongly serrulate. Inflorescence overtopping recurved leaves, 0.2-0.3 m high, with cylindric to ovoid dense raceme. Flowers pinkish red or orange-red and spreading in bud, whitish or yellow and pendulous when mature, 22-32 mm long. Flowering time Sept.-Feb.