Biennial or perennial, up to 60 cm tall, stout, usually with more than 10 mm thick stem, densely pilose; scales oblong-lanceolate, distant, c. 10 (-15)mm long. Spikes dense. Bracts c. as long as the corolla-tube or slightly shorter, often c. 15 mm long; bracteoles absent. Calyx c. as long as the bracts, divided into 2 segments, each segment deeply 2-fid to below middle, teeth linear. Corolla (20-) 25-30 (-35)mm long, tube constricted in the middle or at the insertion point of stamens, inflated below; limb broad with spreading, obtuse lobes, blue. Filaments and anthers minutely pubescent or sub-glabrous. Capsules c. 10 mm long, ovoid. Stigma 2-lobed.

Type: Southern Iran, Kotschy 891 (G).

Distribution: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pamir-Alai, Armenia, Kurdistan to Turcomania.