Saxifraga hirculoides Engler in Maximowicz, Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg, Sér. 3, 29: 112. 1883, not Decaisne (1844); Hirculus pseudohirculus (Engler) Losinskaja; S. balongshanensis T. C. Ku; S. hirculoides f. abbreviata Engler; S. longipetala T. C. Ku; S. pseudohirculus var. shensiensis Engler & Irmscher; S. pseudohirculus var. tenuiflora Harry Smith; S. selgenensis K. S. Hao; S. spathulifolia T. C. Ku.

Herbs perennial, cespitose, 4-17 cm tall. Stem proximally brown crisped glandular villous and glandular pubescent, distally dark brown glandular hairy. Basal leaves with petiole 0.6-2.3 cm, margin brown crisped glandular villous; leaf blade lanceolate or oblanceolate to narrowly oblong, 2-11 × 0.6-2.5 mm, glandular hairy, apex subobtuse. Cauline leaves with petiole 2-12 mm, gradually shorter to absent distally on stem, margin brown crisped glandular villous; leaf blade suboblong to oblanceolate, 0.8-3.5 cm × 1.9-3.5 mm, glandular pubescent, apex subobtuse. Cyme 2-12-flowered or flower solitary; pedicels 0.5-3.8 cm, dark brown glandular hairy. Sepals erect to spreading, broadly to narrowly ovate, 2-4 × 1-2.9 mm, abaxially and marginally dark brown glandular hairy, adaxially sparsely glandular hairy or glabrous, veins 3-5(-7), not confluent at apex, apex obtuse or acute. Petals yellow, lanceolate or narrowly oblong to ensiform, 4-11 × 1.3-3 mm, 2-callose, 3-5(-7)-veined, base with a claw 0.4-1.2 mm, apex obtuse to acute. Stamens 1.5-5 mm. Ovary semi-inferior, broadly ovoid, 2.6-4.6 mm; styles 1.1-2.8 mm. Fl. and fr. Jul-Sep.

* Forests, scrub, alpine meadows, rock crevices; 3100-4600(-5600) m. S Gansu, E and S Qinghai, S Shaanxi (Qin Ling), W Sichuan, E and S Xizang.