Plants (13-)20(-37)cm tall. Leaves (3-)6-15 x (1-)4-8 cm, obovate to oblong-obovate, base cuneate, apex rounded, margin crenate to dentate, ciliate. Scapa usually 12-24 cm long, pink tinged, glabrous to glandular-villous. Flowers white, pink tinged or yellowish. Sepals 5-7 mm long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous to pubescent, ciliate. Petals 7-10 mm long, unguiculate, limb orbicular. Carpels 2(-3), the third when present smaller. Capsule 10-13 x 5-6 mm, including styles; seeds dark brown, c. 1 mm, elongated; testa scalariform.

Fl.Per.: June-August.

Lectotype: Kumaon, Strachey & Winterbottom 2(K).

Distribution: W. Himalayas, from 2700-4700 m, Afghanistan, USSR, (Tadzhikistan).

Commonly growing gregariously on moist rocky slopes in Kashmir, Baltistan, Gilgit, Chitral and Upper Kaghan areas on much higher and colder altitudes than Bergenia ciliata. The plant, rather small in stature, is very attractive in autumn when the leaf colour changes to red. Leaves are used for making a brew and as a source of tanning materials.

A specimen from Bedori, Azad Kashmir, 2.7.1952, R.R. Stewart & E. Nasir s.n. (RAW), differs in its smaller size, with broadly obovate, densely ciliate leaves, 3.5 x 1.5 cm, and in the densely villous calyx and pedicels. When more material is available this may prove to be a new taxon.