Rhizome usually shortly branched, subterete, sometimes submoniliform due to many short branches, 5--10 mm thick. Stem erect, 15--35 cm, glabrous. Leaves many, in whorls of 3--6, occasionally also alternate or opposite, sessile, linear-lanceolate to linear, 3--7 cm × 1--5 mm, apex acuminate, ascending before anthesis, ± pendulous after anthesis. Inflorescences 1- or 2-flowered; peduncle 7--9 mm; bracts caducous or absent. Flowers pendulous; pedicel 2--4 mm. Perianth pale purple, cylindric, 6--8 mm; lobes 1.5--2 mm. Filaments very short, ca. 0.7 mm, slightly scabrous; anthers ca. 1.5 mm. Ovary ca. 2 mm. Style subequaling ovary. Berries red, 6--8 mm in diam., 3--7-seeded. Fl. May--Jul, fr. Sep--Oct. 2 n = 28*.

* Forests, grasslands; 2700--3900 m. W Sichuan, NW Yunnan.