Plants 8–16 cm. Stem erect, dull purplish, branching, sparsely pubescent to almost glabrous. Basal leaves petiolate; blade triangular or triangular-ovate, 2–3-pinnate; primary pinnae 2–3 pairs; ultimate segments linear-lanceolate, 4–7 × 0.5–1 mm. Stem leaves reduced upwards. Umbels 3.5–4 cm across; peduncles stout, apex pubescent; bracts usually absent, or 1–3, 2–3-lobed or pinnate, rarely entire; rays 5–7, 1–2.5 cm, unequal; bracteoles 3–6, similar to bracts, unequal, margin pubescent. Calyx teeth obsolete. Petals purplish-red, base shortly clawed. Styles short. Fruit oblong-ovoid, tuberculate; vittae 3 or 4 in each furrow, 6–8 on commissure. Seed face slightly concave or plane. Fl. and fr. Aug–Oct.

This rather poorly known taxon is recorded only from a few specimens. It resembles Trachydium roylei and T. tibetanicum, but differs in having 2–3-lobed or pinnate bracteoles (rarely entire) and vittae 3 or 4 in each furrow and 6–8 on the commissure.

Scrub, alpine meadows, streamsides; 4000–4500 m. SE Xizang (Zayü).