Ascending branched, leaf succulent shrub, up to 250–350 mm high. Roots are fibrous. Branches are ascending, 6–8 mm in diameter, at first green,becoming greyish brown and grey in older branches. Leaves are oblanceolate (rarely elliptical), 75–125 × 35–55 mm, green, firm and leathery; upper surface concave with dense short hairs; the margin reddish, leathery, sometimes undulating, continuous to the short petiole; the leaf tip is pointed or rounded and ending in a hard point. The leaf petiole is short, 8–10 mm long.

The inflorescence is an erect, branched panicle, 150–200 mm high, comprising 3–5 flowering branches. The inflorescence stalk is 200–250 mm high, covered in hairs similar to those on the leaves and with 1 pair of bracts, 2 × 1.5 mm, early deciduous. Calyx lobes 5, green, 2 × 2 mm. Corolla tubular, hanging, orange-red, 20–25 mm long, about 9–10 mm in diameter; tube 14–16 mm long, lobes free for 12–13 mm at apex (12 × 4 mm), longish spear-shaped, the tips recurved. Stamens 10–12 mm long, fused to base of corolla, in 2 whorls; anthers yellow, spherical, 1.3 mm long. Carpels tapering, 14–16 mm long. Flowering time is in winter.