Taproot thick and deep. Flowering stems 2-3, sparsely branched, 50-90 cm. All leaves in a basal rosette, numerous, somewhat rough, lanceolate-spathulate 4-7 cm x 2-3 cm, covered with chalklike spots. Inflorescence 20-40 cm, of short, nearly globose spikes, bracts silver-grey. Flowers violet-red. V - early spring to late autumn. Rosette of leaves can overwinter. Fl - April. Fr - May in the wild. P - by seed. Good for sunny and dry sites. Can be used as a dried flower for winter bouquets. Propagated by seed sown just after ripening, or in early spring. Well suited to the rock garden. Z 6 (5). New.

Central Asia (mountains of Turkmenia) and Iran. On rocky slopes and talus.