Herbs, perennial, with cystoliths. Leaves petiolate. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, secund racemes; bracts linear-lanceolate [or narrowly deltoid]; bracteoles 2, borne at base of pedicel. Calyx much shorter than corolla tube, 5-lobed almost to base; lobes linear-lanceolate. Corolla subactinomorphic; tube basally cylindric, campanulate toward apex; limb 2-lipped, lower lip 3-lobed, upper lip 2-lobed; lobes suborbicular [ovate or oblong], ascending cochlear in bud. Stamens 2, inserted at base of campanulate portion of corolla tube, subincluded; anthers 2-thecous; thecae oblong, dorsally pubescent; staminodes 2, lacking anthers. Disk obsolete. Ovary subellipsoid, with ovules 2 per locule; style subglabrous or pubescent near base; stigma 2-lobed. Capsule (not seen for Mackaya tapingensis) stipitate, 2-or 4-seeded; retinacula present. Seeds (not seen for M. tapingensis) somewhat rugose.