Stem 25--45 cm tall, puberulent proximally, glabrous or subglabrous distally, branched. Leaf blade 3--10 cm wide, base deeply cordate; primary lobes separate for at least 90% of blade radius; central lobe rhombic, 3-parted nearly to midvein, distally 1- or 2-lobulate or undivided, apex acute; ultimate lobules narrowly ovate, lanceolate, or linear; proximal leaves usually withered. Raceme 8--29 cm, 3--14-flowered; rachis sparsely puberulent; bracts all linear, or most proximal one 3-sect. Pedicels 1.5--6.5(--10) cm, densely pubescent distally, glabrous or sparsely puberulent elsewhere; bracteoles borne near middle of pedicel or distally, narrowly linear or subulate, 3--6.5 mm. Sepals deep or light blue, rarely white, abaxially appressed puberulent; spur subulate, 1.2--2.5 cm, usually slightly upcurved or downcurved, base 2--3 mm in diam.; other sepals 1.2--2 cm. Petals undivided, glabrous. Staminode limb broadly obovate, distally emarginate, sometimes entire, rarely 2-lobed, yellow barbate. Filaments glabrous or pilose. Carpels 3; ovaries densely pubescent. Fl. Jun--Aug.

Grassy slopes, meadows; 2500--4200 m. SW Gansu, S Qinghai, W Sichuan, E and S Xizang [NW India, Nepal].