Caudex subterete, ca. 8 cm, ca. 1.5 cm in diam. Stem erect, to 1.8 m, simple or branched, apically and inflorescence densely retrorse pubescent, or spreading pubescent. Leaves long petiolate; petiole 2--15 cm; leaf blade cordate-ovate, or ± pentagonal, ca. 15 × 15 cm, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent at veins, 3-sect; central segment rhombic, base narrowly cuneate, subpinnately parted from middle to apex, lobes linear-lanceolate or lanceolate; lateral segments obliquely flabellate, unequally 2-parted nearly to base. Distal inflorescence to 60 cm, many flowered; proximal bracts leaflike, others lanceolate or subulate. Pedicels 1--10 cm, with 2 bracteoles at middle or above; proximal bracteoles leaflike, distal ones linear. Sepals white-purple or purplish, abaxially pubescent or glabrous; lower sepals 1.3--1.5 cm; lateral sepals 1.5 cm; upper sepal galeate or navicular, sometimes navicular-galeate, shortly clawed, 1.5--2 cm, with a triangular ca. 5 mm beak, 1.5--2 cm from base to beak, lower margin concave. Petals sparsely pubescent; limb ca. 8 mm; lip ca. 3.5 mm, apex slightly concave; spur incurved, ca. 2 mm. Stamens glabrous; filaments entire or 2-denticulate. Carpels 3--11, glabrous or sparsely white pubescent. Fl. Jul--Aug.

* Scrub, grasslands, mountains; 3000--4000 m. W Sichuan, Xizang, NW Yunnan.