Herbs, annuals or perennials, rarely shrubs, hemiparasitic. Spikes or racemes terminal; bracts leaflike, often broader than leaves, variously colored, entire or lobed. Calyx tubular, base often gibbous abaxially, 2- or 4-lobed, median clefts usually deeper than lateral. Corolla tube included in calyx; limb conspicuously 2-lipped; lower lip short, patent, 3-lobed; upper lip elongated, rostrate apex entire. Stamens 4, didynamous; anthers enclosed by upper lip. Capsule loculicidal. Seeds numerous, minute; seed coat transparent, foveolate.

About 200 species: mainly in W North America, about ten species in N Asia and E Europe; one species in China.