火焰草 huo yan cao

Bartsia pallida Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 602. 1753.

Perennials, 20-30 cm tall, white pubescent. Stems usually cespitose, erect, simple. Leaves alternate, sometimes subopposite at base of stem, sessile, linear to linear-lanceolate, 2-8 cm X 2-5 mm, margin entire, veins 3. Spikes 3-12 cm; bracts yellow-white, ovate-lanceolate, 1-3 X 0.5-1.2 cm. Calyx ca. 2 cm, medially parted to ca. 1/2 length, laterally parted to ca. 1/4 of its length; lobes linear. Corolla pale yellow or white, 2.5-3 cm; tube tubular. Anther locules unequal in length and parallel. Capsule ovoid, slightly compressed, glabrous, ca. 1 cm, apex caudate, hooklike. Fl. Jun-Aug.

Meadows, saline meadows, rarely in thickets; 700-900 m. NW Heilongjiang, N Nei Mongol [Mongolia, Russia; E Europe, N North America].