Herbs perennial, hirsute. Stems often unbranched. Basal leaves petiolate, large. Cymes terminal, bracteate. Flowers pedicellate. Calyx campanulate, 5-lobed, enlarged in fruit, subtending nutlet. Corolla violet-red or blue; tube ca. as long as calyx; throat unappendaged or with bundles of hairs; limb spreading, 5-parted. Stamens included; filaments extremely short; anthers oblong. Ovary 4-lobed. Style filiform; stigma capitate, 2-cleft. Gynobase flat. Nutlets straight, ovoid, smooth, shiny, acutely keeled adaxially, apex obtuse; attachment scar at base, slightly concave, margin ringlike, with umbilical tissue.

About 14 species: C Asia, Europe; one species in China.