Perennial herb up to 1 m or more tall. Stem unbranched, hollow Basal leaves (including petiole), 12-40 x 5-17 cm, elliptic, oblong to oblanceolate, base sometimes cordate, pubescent on both surfaces. Cauline leaves much smaller, ± amplexicaul. Mature inflorescence loosely paniculate, capitate-circinate when young. Pedicels 2-3 mm in fruit. Calyx c. 4 mm long, pubescent, lobes lanceolate. Corolla pale pink to deep red, c. 5 mm long; lobes ± 1-1.5 mm long, acute, erect, throat scales oblong. Anthers less than 1 mm long, filaments 4-5 mm long, dilated towards base or not, exserted. Nutlets 6 mm long, ovoid, obtuse, dorsal surface appendiculate.

Fl. Per.: May.

Type: ‘In regionibus orientalibus ad fl. Irtysch,’ C.A. Meyer s.n. (LE).

Distribution: Iraq, Iran, Caucasus, Soviet C. Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ladak.

Found in forest undergrowth or in shrubberies from 2500-3500 m.