Plants to over 1 m tall. Leaves to about 1 m long and 2.5 cm wide with a strong lower ridge and smooth margins, sometimes rough towards the tip. Flowers red, to orange then greenish-yellow and to 5 cm long in spikes to over 20 cm long; summer to autumn. Stamens protruding.

S Africa.

There are numerous cultivars available and these are in need of careful description as many are difficult to distinguish.

Among the more common other species cultivated are K. caulescens, a stalked species with strongly waxy blue leaves, K. linearifolia (sometimes grown as a standard on a long stem), and K. sarmentosa.

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Kniphofia. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.