Description:

• Herbaceous perennials, tufted or solitary from a thick, simple or branched rhizome, rarely somewhat caulescent; up to 2(-4) m high
• Leaves V-shaped in cross section, soft (mesophytic), rosulate, rarely distichous, linear, long-tapered to apex, usually carinate; margins smooth or minutely serrulate
• Inflorescence a terminal, dense to lax, many-flowered, subspicate, simple or very rarely branched raceme; bracts scarious, persistent, longer than short pedicels; pedicels inconspicuously articulated
• Flowers spreading or pendulous
• Perianth: tube campanulate to cylindrical; lobes short; deciduous; white, yellow, brownish or various shades of red
• Stamens as long as or longer than perianth at anthesis
• Ovary sessile, with many axile ovules; style filiform, usually finally exserted; stigma capitate, minute
• Capsule globose to ovoid, often triquetrous, chartaceous when dry
• Seeds somewhat flattened, acutely 3-angled or winged; endosperm fleshy
• x = 6

Nomenclature:

• Kniphofia Moench
  • Moench: 631 (1794)
  • Baker: 275 (1896-1897)
  • Codd: 363 (1968)
• Notosceptrum Benth.
  • Bentham: 775 (1883)
  • Phillips: 185 (1951)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global: Species ± 70; mostly Africa, 1 in Madagascar and 1 in S Arabian Peninsula
• Southern Africa: Species 47, widespread in all countries and provinces, except Namibia and Botswana