The plant grows to about 1 metre (3 ft 3 in)[3] and produces an erect, hairy or fuzzy stem which may be red to green in color.

Arranged at wide intervals along the stem are long, lance-shaped leaves growing to about 10 centimetres (4 in),[3] the lowermost sometimes toothed along the edges.

Atop the stem is an inflorescence of several flowers in white to yellow or orange.

Lower flowerheads may branch from the axils of the alternate leaves.

Each tubular, flat-faced flower is 2 or 3 cm wide with five fused and curving light-colored petals and five stamens[3] tipped with anthers which bear blue pollen.