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Stems erect, seldom fleshy in E. African spp., scaly, simple or branched, singly or in clusters. Inflorescence a cylindrical spike or spiciform raceme. Flowers very congested to long interrupted, bracteate, with or without bracteoles (2). Bracts similar to the scales. Calyx campanulate, sessile or stalked, (2–) 4–5 dentate, gamosepalous, or split dorsally and ventrally into two free sections. Corolla tubular, the lobes of the limb arranged in two unequal parts as an upper and lower lip; upper lip of two equal, lower lip of three equal or unequal lobes. Stamens not or scarcely protruding; filaments glabrous to glandular hairy; anther cells parallel or slightly diverging. Style terminally decurved; stigma distinctly or obscurely bilobed, peltate, or funnel-shaped. Capsule ovoid-ellipsoid or ovoid-spheroid.
Annual or perennial herbs with short underground root tubers or tuber-like rhizomes attached to roots of host plants. Stems simple or branched, often stout, with numerous scale lvs. Fls in dense spikes or racemes. Calyx either irregularly 4-(5)-toothed or laterally 2-lipped with usually 2 entire or 2-fid segments, sometimes with a fifth posterior tooth. Corolla strongly 2-lipped; tube curved; upper lip ± 2-lobed; lower lip 3-lobed, at least as long as upper. Stamens included. Ovary with 4 placentae, variously lobed. Stigma lobes fleshy. Valves of capsule sometimes remaining attached apically. Seeds minute, very numerous.
Parasitic perennial, biennial or annual herbs, lacking chlorophyll, usually covered with gland-tipped hairs; stems erect, simple or branched, stout or slender, slightly succulent or not, of ten thickened or more or less woody at the base.
Stamens 4, didynamous, included or nearly so, inserted below middle of tube; filaments usually thickened towards base, glabrous to glandular-hairy; anthers of ten cohering, thecae parallel or somewhat divergent, mucronate.
Corolla tubular, usually curved, throat somewhat widened, strongly bilabiate; upper lip entire, emarginate or bifid or bilobed, with equal lobes; lower lip 3-lobed, lobes equal or unequal with prominent folds between.
Cal campanulate, variously lobed; cor tubular, the tube usually downcurved, much longer than the lobes; stamens about equaling the cor-tube; fls in racemes or spikes or solitary. 100 +, cosmop.
Flowers sessile or shortly pedicellate, congested to laxly arranged, bracteate; bracteoles 2 or absent.
Calyx campanulate, 3–5-lobed, or divided to base into two bifid or bilobed segments.
Capsule bivalved, ovoid-globose or ovoid-ellipsoid, loculicidally dehiscent.
Seeds numerous, minute, subglobose.
Inflorescence spicate or racemose.
Leaves occurring as large scales.
