Root elongated tuberous, branched. Rosulate leaves, oblong-lanceolate or oblong, acuminate, margin sparsely ciliate, 1.5-5 x 0.3-1 cm. Flowering stems 5-16.5 cm high, glabrous, deciduous. Cauline leaves oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, 6-14 x 0.2-0.4 mm. Inflorescence corymbose, many-flowered, terminal. Flowers 6-8 merous, small, glabrous, pedicel 1-6 mm long. Calyx 6-8 lobed, lobes ovate, green, connate at the base, fleshy, glabrous, acute, 2-4.5 x 0.8-1.2 mm. Corolla 6-8 lobed, lobes oblong-lanceolate, aristate, connate, white to light purple, membranaceous, 5-9 x 1-2.5 mm. Stamens 12-16, in two whorls, shorter than and adnate to the petals, 3.5-5.5 mm long. Nectar scales square, 0.5-2 x 0.5-2.5 mm. Carpels free, 2.5-4 x 1-2 mm, style slender 1-1.5 mm long, stigma capitate. Follicles 6-8, erect, free, 4-6 x 1-2 mm. Seeds 13-40 per follicle, ellipsoid, 0.5-1 x 0.1-0.2 mm, small, brown, with longitudinal striae.

Fl.Per.: July-August.

Type: In rupibus subalpinus Alatau ad. fl. Sarchan et Aksu, Karelin & Kiriloff 1488 (LE).

Grows from 3300-3800 m on slopes, rocks and crevices; Distribution: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Kazakstan, Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, China (Xizang).