Herbs, annual, hemiparasitic. Leaves alternate. Spikes terminal; bracts often broader than leaves. Calyx subequally 4-lobed. Corolla elongated, conspicuously 2-lipped; lower lip 3-lobed, base of lobes saccate; upper lip slightly longer than lower lip, rostrate, entire. Stamens 4, didynamous; anthers 1-loculed. Stigma entire. Capsule compressed, 2-sulcate, loculicidal. Seeds numerous.

Six species: W North America, particularly California; one species in China.