Caudex fusiform, ca. 5 cm. Stem 55--95 cm, 3--4 mm in diam., basally sparsely retrorse pubescent, apically densely so, with leaves arranged equally along stem. Proximal cauline leaves withered at anthesis, long petiolate; petiole 3--5.5 cm, sparsely appressed pubescent; leaf blade pentagonal, 4.5--7 × 6--8.5 cm, both surfaces sparsely appressed pubescent at veins, 3-parted nearly to base 5--8 mm; central lobe broadly rhombic; lateral lobes obliquely flabellate, unequally 2-parted to above middle. Inflorescence 3--7-flowered; rachis and pedicels retrorse pubescent; bracts leaflike. Pedicels oblique upward, 3--6 cm, with 2 bracteoles above middle; proximal bracteoles ± leaflike, 0.8--1.2 × 0.4--0.8 cm, middle bracteoles obovate or elliptic, ca. 5 mm, distal ones linear-lanceolate, 3--3.5 mm, sparsely pubescent. Sepals green, margin dark purple, both surfaces sparsely pubescent; lower sepals 8.5--9.5 cm; lateral sepals 1.8--2 cm; upper sepal navicular, 0.9--1.3 cm wide, without distinct beak, lower margin erect or slightly concave, 2.2--2.9 cm. Petals ca. 2.5 cm; claw slender, densely spreading pubescent; limb small, glabrous, hatchet-shaped, ca. 3.5 × 2 mm; lip ca. 0.8 mm, subtriangular, entire. Stamens densely spreading pubescent distally; filaments usually 2-denticulate; anthers globose, ca. 1 mm, glabrous. Carpels 7--9, densely yellowish pubescent. Fl. Sep.

This species belongs to Aconitum sect. Sinaconitum W. T. Wang, characterized by its upper sepal navicular; petal limb small, with secretory tissue abaxially, not spurred; lip indistinct; filament oblong basally, filiform apically, densely puberulous, and carpels 7–9.

* Alpine grasslands; ca. 4000 m. NW Yunnan (Bijiang Xian).