[1] The majority of species are limited to the winter rainfall area of the country, from Springbok to Mossel Bay.

This is best known from Lobostemon fruticosus, which is used for treating wounds, blood poisoning, ringworm, skin diseases and syphilis.

It is closely related to the European genus Echium but differs by the presence of staminal scales in Lobostemon.

The staminal filaments are typically well-developed, but they may be reduced to ridges or mere swellings and hairy.

It is confined to the winter rainfall area from Springbok to Mossel Bay, but several species have ranges that extend further eastward along the coast to about Makhanda, where rain occurs throughout the year.