Perennial, acaulous or short-stemmed herbs, sometimes small, branched subshrubs. Lvs alternate, simple, entire, free, in loose or dense rosettes. Infl. axillary, a simple or branched cyme, often elongated and racemose and then fls secund, sometimes cymes paniculate and thyrsoid. Fls 5-merous, ± erect to horizontal, often pendent in bud. Sepals free or connate towards base, subequal to very unequal. Petals united at base, forming a tube except at spreading tips, thick and fleshy, usually orange to red, sometimes pale yellow to white; tube often angled towards base. Stamens 10, included, in 2 unequal or somewhat unequal whorls; inner whorl epipetalous. Carpels 5, united at base. Scales free, lunate or reniform, often truncate. Seeds numerous.