Herbs, subshrubs or shrubs. Inflorescence a spike (in ours); terminal or axillary. Sepals 5, linear. Corolla 2-lipped; tube very long and slender; lobes subequal. Fertile stamens 2, long-exserted; anthers 1-thecous; staminodes 0. Ovary and style base glabrous; style capitate. Seeds without hygroscopic hairs.
Worldwide: 10 species in tropical Africa and Madagascar