Large, much branched, shrub; stem terete, branched, hoary pubescent, often dark purple; flowers in dense or villous terminal and axillary, stout, sessile spikes forming a paniculate inflorescence of many flowered whorled cymes; bracts ovate, glandular, exceeding the hirsute calyx; calyx teeth shortly triangular to lanceolate, silky ciliate; corolla pink or white, tube exserted or included, limbs spreading, subequally 2-lipped, lobes-4, lower usually largest; stamens 4, much exserted, anther cells confluent, filaments bearded; disc subentire, equal; ovary 4-celled, 4-ovuled, style slender, subequally bifid; nutlets 4, broadly ellipsoid, inner faces angular shining brown or black when ripe.