Herbs perennial. Stems ascending, to 1 m × 1 cm, glabrous, Leaves sessile or base attenuate into short petiole; leaf sheath 3--5 cm, glabrous; leaf blade elliptic or obovate-oblanceolate, 15--35 × 4--9 cm, glabrous on both surfaces. Inflorescence usually shorter than distal leaves; peduncle 5--10 cm, densely whitish glandular; cincinni numerous, ca. 2 cm, usually not in whorls, densely whitish glandular; involucral bracts ca. 10 mm, densely whitish glandular, caducous; bracts membranous. Sepals subovate, shallowly boat-shaped, 3--4 mm, abaxially puberulent glandular, caducous. Petals white or pale purple, obovate, ca. 5 mm. Stamens 6, all fertile. Fruit globose, 4--5 mm in diam. Fl. Mar--Jun.

Shaded places in ravines or dense forests; near sea level to 1700 m. N and SW Guangdong (Lianshan Zhuang-Yao Zu Zizhixian, Xinyi Xian), Guangxi, SW Guizhou (Anlong Xian), SW Sichuan (Miyi Xian), SE Xizang (Mêdog Xian), S and W Yunnan [Bhutan, E India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].