Rhizomes usually tuber-like terete, rarely moniliform. Stem erect 30-90 cm, angled, glabrous. Leaves in whorls of 3-6-8, occasionally alternate near base of stem, sometimes opposite near apex, subsessile, elliptic to narrowly lanceolate or linear, 6-13.5 x 0.8-1.7 cm, entire, tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 1-2 (-4) flowered; peduncle 1-2 cm, bract <1 mm, or absent, pedicel 2.5-4.5 mm; perianth 8-9 mm, pale yellow, contracted in the middle, teeth inside and at the tip hairy. Stamens epipetalous, filaments 0.5-1 (-2) m, papillose. Ovary c. 3 mm, style 2.5-3 mm. Berries red, becoming purple, 6-8 mm in diameter.

Fl.Per.: May-June

Type: Described from N. Europe, Herb. Linn. 436.2 (LINN), vide R. R. Mill, l.c. 82. 1984.

Distribution: Europe (except Mediterranean region) Russia (W. Siberia, Caucasia) Afghanistan, Pakistan (Chitral, Dir, Swat, Hazara, Gilgit), Kashmir, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and China (Gansu, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang).

ravine beds in forests, grassy hill tops between 2600-4000

Rhizome is valued as a salep, a strength giving food. Plant is diuretic and contains glucoside of digitalis group (Ambasta et al., loc. cit).