Herbs annual. Stems slender, erect, 5-15(-25) cm, retrorse pubescent. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 0.7-1.5(-2.5) cm × 1-4 mm, glabrous or finely strigose, obscurely glandular, base attenuate to petioles, margin entire, ± ciliate, apex acuminate. Verticillasters 2-6-flowered, lax or compact, in false spikes 2-11(-15) cm; floral leaves much longer than flowers, rarely as long apically, margin ciliate. Pedicel 1.5-4 mm. Calyx subtubular, slightly curved downward, 5-7 mm, base saccate in fruit, spreading hirsute or hirtellous, teeth ovate-triangular. Corolla ca. 1 cm, tube slightly exserted. Fertile stamens 2, included; anthers with an ovate, downwardly directed appendage. Fl. Aug.

Hillsides, gravelly areas, meadows, semidesert areas. Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; SW Asia, Europe].